2 August 2023
The National Academies’ 2020 Decadal Survey in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s recommended probe missions to be competed in the broad areas identified as important to accomplish the survey’s scientific goals. For the coming decade, the Decadal Survey recommended a far-infrared imaging or spectroscopy mission or an X-ray mission.
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is announcing the release of the final text for the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) entitled 2023 Astrophysics Probe Explorer (APEX). Responses to the Astrophysics Probe Explorer AO will be limited to one of the two mission themes recommended by the Decadal Survey. Proposals must be responsive to the preponderance of the mission theme's objectives as provided in Sections 7.5.3.2 through 7.5.3.4 of the Decadal Survey.
There is a mandatory Notice of Intent (NoI) to propose, due by 13 September 2023 at 11:59p Eastern (8:59p Pacific). The final proposals are due 16 November 2023 at 11:59p Eastern (8:59p Pacific).
The Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) hosts the official “2023 Astrophysics Probe Explorer (APEX)” AO website that provides further information, including Program Library and Question and Answer (Q&A) pages.
Please address comments or questions on the AO only via email using subject line "APEX 2023 AO” to both the APEX Lead Program Scientist, Dr. Patricia M. Knezek, at patricia.m.knezek@nasa.gov, and the APEX Lead Technical, Management, and Cost (TMC) Acquisition Manager, Mr. Victor Lucas, at victor.f.lucas@nasa.gov. Anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.
Proposers are encouraged to send comments and questions early so that they may be addressed at the virtual pre-proposal conference (PPC), planned for mid-August 2023. Please consult the SOMA website for updates on the PPC’s date, agenda, and connection information. In order for questions to be addressed during the PPC, they should be submitted at least one week prior to the event. SOMA will post the PPC presentations. Answers to questions addressed at the conference will be posted in the Q&A section of the 2023 APEX website.
The final deadline for all questions is fourteen (14) days before the proposal due date.