Linking Strategic Astrophysics Missions, Technology Gaps, and Technology Maturation Investments
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Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Jason Derleth.
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The Astro2020 Decadal Survey recommended an investment in Time Domain and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (TDAMM) as the top-priority sustaining activity in space for the coming decade. One aspect of NASA’s response to this recommendation is a study, led by the Physics of the Cosmos Program Office, of how a structure akin to a General Observer Facility might be implemented that would provide support to both missions and observers as they pursue TDAMM science. Here, we present some initial observations of needs in the community, and potential concepts for such an entity. We invite discussion with both missions and observers to better understand their needs and concerns.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Astrophysics Division (APD) funds the development of cutting-edge technologies through multiple programs to enable its strategic missions to achieve ambitious and groundbreaking science goals. These technology development efforts are managed by the Cosmic Origins (COR), Exoplanet Exploration (ExE), and Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS) programs. The 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s,” (Astro2020) recommended a pan-chromatic set of missions, including three Great Observatories (GO) and three Probe-class missions that could collect unprecedented data over the coming decades. We show the correlation between these strategic missions and the current Astrophysics technology gaps, as well as recent and current technology maturation projects funded to help close these technology gaps. We also cover how these investments advanced their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) [1] and where they have been infused into missions and projects.