Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group
(COPAG)

19 January 2016

Formal Charge to NASA Astrophysics Program Analysis Groups
(PAGs)

COPAG Members:

The formal charge to the NASA Astrophysics Program Analysis Groups (PAGs) to provide feedback on the possibility of Astrophysics Probe Missions has been issued.

• Charge on Astrophysics Probes [PDF]

The background for this call was presented by Paul Hertz at the Joint PAG meeting in Kissimmee earlier this month, and motivated the COPAG Executive Committee (EC)'s call for white papers on the possible Probe-class missions [PDF].

Please review the details of the formal charge, and render any feedback on the matter to me or any other Executive Committee member. The three PAGs (COPAG, ExoPAG, PhysPAG) have convened a Working Group to consider a joint statement or position on the subject of Probe-class missions, with input from the three respective Executive Committees. The joint working group report from will be presented to the NAC Astrophysics Subcommittee at their next meeting, in March.

We encourage all interested individuals to respond to the call for white papers so that we have as comprehensive a view of the drivers and potential requirements for such a mission class as possible. The deadline for this input is February 15, 2016.

We welcome any and all input and look forward to your continued active engagement in our analysis of the charge.

Thanks,

Paul Scowen
COPAG Chair