A Vigorous Explorer Program
Abstract
Explorers have made breakthroughs in many fields of astrophysics. The science from both these missions contributed to three Nobel Prizes - Giacconi (2002), Mather, and Smoot (2006). Explorers have: marked the definitive beginning of precision cosmology, discovered that short gamma-ray bursts are caused by compact star mergers and have measured metalicity to redshifts z>6. NASA Explorers do cutting-edge science that cannot be done by facility-class instruments. The Explorer program provides a rapid response to changing science and technology, to enable cutting-edge science at moderate cost. Explorers also enable innovation, and engage & train scientists, managers and engineers, adding human capital to NASA and the nation. The astrophysics Explorer launch rate now being achieved is 1 per 3 years, and budget projections are in the $150M/year range for the next five years. A newly Vigorous Explorer Program should be created to: 1. Reach the long-stated goal of annual astrophysics launches; 2. Find additional launch options for Explorers and actively encourage cost savings in launchers and spacecraft, such as new commercial vehicles and innovative partnerships. 3. Mitigate risk via stronger technical development and sub-orbital programs, and through longer, more thorough, Phase A programs, potentially reducing the need for a 30% contingency; 4. Strive to protect the funding for missions that have reached Phase B, to prevent significant launch slips and cancellations, with a goal of 4 to 5 years from Phase B to launch; 5. Review the project management procedures and requirements to seek cost reductions, including the risk management strategy and the review and reporting process; 6. Review and possibly modify the cost caps for all Explorer classes to optimize scientific returns per dollar. [ABRIDGED]
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.0911.3383,
title = {A Vigorous Explorer Program},
author = {Martin Elvis and Matthew Beasley and Roger Brissenden and Supriya Chakrabarti and Michael Cherry and Mark Devlin and Jerry Edelstein and Peter Eisenhardt and Paul Feldman and Holland Ford and Neil Gehrels and Leon Golub and Herman Marshall and Christopher Martin and John Mather and Stephan McCandliss and Mark McConnell and Jonathan McDowell and David Meier and Robyn Millan and John Mitchell and Warren Moos and Steven S. Murray and John Nousek and William Oegerle and Brian Ramsey and James Green and Jonathan Grindlay and Philip Kaaret and Mary Elizabeth Kaiser and Lisa Kaltenegger and Justin Kasper and Julian Krolik and Jeffrey W. Kruk and David Latham and John MacKenty and Amanda Mainzer and George Ricker and Stephen Rinehart and Suzanne Romaine and Paul Scowen and Eric Silver and George Sonneborn and Daniel Stern and Mark Swain and Jean Swank and Wesley Traub and Martin Weisskopf and Michael Werner and Edward Wright},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0911.3383},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
18 pages, no figures. An Activities/Program White Paper submitted to the Astro2010 NAS/NRC Decadal Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics