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Suggested Citation:"Conclusion." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. Report Series: Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics: Small Explorer Missions. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24808.
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Cost Cap and Launch Vehicle

The responses from the community to the question of whether the cost cap or the launch vehicle was more constraining indicated that the cost cap might be more constraining, but, given the incomplete nature of the survey, such a conclusion is not warranted (see Appendix C). However, the following themes emerged:

  • Mission risk, timescale, and technology development. It was noted in some of the inputs that the cost cap and the limited risk allowance for SMEX missions precludes the inclusion of new, low-heritage technologies. This problem can be ameliorated by continuing a responsive technology development program.
  • Access to space. One of the points raised in the many thoughtful community inputs is the importance of flexible and implementable options for access to space. More generally, access to space is a related issue that merits periodic reassessment. A document from NASA Science Mission Directorate on the evolution of access to space options at all scales relevant for science missions since the last decadal survey, and the outlook for the foreseeable future, could be a very valuable pre-survey resource.
  • Mission size. Significant interest was expressed in missions that are even smaller than the SMEX scale. NASA might consider a workshop on ideas for such missions. This would be primarily a forward-looking workshop, but it could also include a careful look at lessons learned from the University Explorer (UNEX) program.

Conclusion

Given the input received by the committee, and based on the committee’s deliberations and findings, more than sufficient compelling science possibilities for a 2018/19 SMEX Announcement of Opportunity exist. The committee therefore concurs with the midterm assessment’s recommendation to proceed with this SMEX round. As neither this report nor NASA suggest changes to the 2018/19 SMEX Announcement of Opportunity, there is no need for the CAA to comment on the potential impact of any changes to the NWNH-recommended program.

Suggested Citation:"Conclusion." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. Report Series: Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics: Small Explorer Missions. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/24808.
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The 2010 astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, laid out an exciting portfolio of recommended activities to guide the agencies’ research programs over the period 2012-2021. The newly constituted Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) is tasked with monitoring the progress of the survey’s recommended priorities.

The CAA met in conjunction with Space Science Week 2017 in Washington, D.C., on March 28- 30, 2017. This was the first meeting at which the CAA could produce a report, and in advance of that meeting, the CAA received a question from NASA about an upcoming Small Explorer (SMEX) mission call. This report addresses whether there may or may not be sufficient compelling science motivations for a SMEX-sized mission to justify a SMEX Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in 2018 or 2019 (as is currently planned).

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