Studies

SPICA is a Japanese-led proposed infrared space telescope, successor of the successful AKARI spacecraft. This mission seeks to take the next step in investigating the mid (> 5 micrometers) through far (400 micrometers) infrared portion of the spectrum to observe many astrophysical phenomena from distant galaxies to star and planet forming systems in our own Galaxy. NASA is considering a contribution to SPICA, including to develop and use scientific instrumentation capable of achieving the spectroscopic goals of SPICA.

Announcement: NASA releases Request for Information (RFI) for Science Objectives and Requirements for the Next NASA UV/Visible Astrophysics Mission Concepts.

Recommended by the 2010 "New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics" report, a UV/Optical telescope as a successot to HST is being studied. The instrumentation being considered includes high-efficiency UV and optical cameras / spectrographs operating at shorter wavelengths than HST, with the possibility of internal coronagraphs or external star-shades. NASA's Cosmic Origins Program is investing in essential technologies such as detectors, coatings, and optics, to prepare for a mission to be considered by the 2020 decadal survey.

The Hubble Space Telescope is in a decaying orbit that will cause an uncontrolled re-entry in around 2025. To prevent the hazards created by such an event, the Cosmic Origins Program Office has undertaken a study of a mission to dispose of the great observatory, either by controlled re-entry or placement into a long life orbit.