Description
The NASA Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, requests information about potential U.S. contributions to the focal plane instruments of the European Space Agencys (ESAs) Athena mission. The Athena focal plane instrumentation is expected to consist of two cameras, an X-ray Integral Field Unit (calorimeter), X-IFU, and a Wide Field Imager, WFI. The U.S. contributions may consist of instrument subsystems (hardware contributions) or contributions to the instrument calibration, data processing, software, or modeling of the instrument response (development contributions). While possible contributions may not be limited to these items, all contributions must support the development of these instruments. NASA is interested in contributions that enhance the science return of the mission and that utilize unique U.S. expertise. Responses are due: February 2, 2015. This information will be used to inform NASAs program planning, including consideration of whether to competitively solicit NASA-funded U.S. contributions to the Athena focal plane instruments. A response to this Request for Information (RFI) is requested so that NASAs program planning can be informed using all relevant information. Background In November 2013, ESA selected the "Hot and Energetic Universe" as the theme of the second large mission (L2) in its Cosmic Vision program. The theme is to be addressed by an X-ray Observatory led by ESA, to be launched in 2028. On June 27, 2014, ESA announced its selection of the Athena mission concept to fulfill this theme (see http://sci.esa.int/athena/ ). NASA is working with ESA to define the possible NASA-funded contribution to this ESA-led X-ray mission. NASAs participation in Athena is consistent with the most recent Astrophysics Decadal Survey, which recommended an international partnership for an advanced X-ray observatory. NASAs out-year budget planning supports a hardware development contribution at the $100-$150M level. This level includes contributions to the focal plane instruments as well as to spacecraft components, including possible contributions to the X-ray mirror. ESA has assembled a Study Science Team (SST) to initiate the required study activities during the Assessment Phase of the Athena concept. The charge for the Athena SST can be found at http://www.cosmos.esa.int/ web/athena/study-science-team . The U.S. is represented on this SST by Randall Smith of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Robert Petre (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) and Michael Garcia (NASA Headquarters) are ex-officio members of the SST. The Athena focal plane instrumentation is expected to consist of two cameras: an X-ray Integral Field Unit (calorimeter), X-IFU, and a Wide Field Imager, WFI. The X-IFU is a cryogenic imaging spectrometer covering the 0.3 to 10 keV energy range with unprecedented energy resolution of 2.5 eV over a field of view a few arcminutes across. The Principal Investigator (PI) of the X-IFU proto-consortium is Didier Barret of the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Plantologie (IRAP), who is supported by the Centre National dEtudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency. More details can be found at http://www.the-athena-x-ray-observatory .eu , under the INSTRUMENTS tab. The WFI is based on a silicon active pixel sensor, and covers the 0.1 to 12 keV energy range. It provides a large field of view, excellent spatial and energy resolution and maximum count rate capabilities. The PI of the WFI proto-consortium is Kirpal Nandra of the Max-Planck-Institut, extraterrestrische Physik (MPE), who is supported by the Deutschen Zentrums fr Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), the German space agency. More details can be found at http://www.the-athena-x-ray-observatory .eu , under the INSTRUMENTS tab. Note that any NASA-funded contributions will require letter of support from the PI of the proto-Instrument consortium. ESA anticipates releasing an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for instruments and science ground segment in early 2016. NASA is only interested in responses that can meet the specified schedule requirements as outlined in the L2 call. This RFI requests information only on possible contributions to the X-IFU and/or WFI, including associated ground segments; it does not request information on possible contributions to the spacecraft, X-ray mirrors, or other items. Requested Information The response to this RFI will be in the form of a PDF document that is uploaded through NASAs NSPIRES system (see instructions below) by February 2, 2015. The response should not exceed three pages in length. The response must contain the following information: Name of submitter and contact information (institutional affiliation, E-mail address). Name and contact info for all Co-Investigators on the RFI response. Name of the single anticipated instrument for which the contribution is proposed. The date(s) on which the European instrument PI was contacted, and his response in support (or not) of the proposed contribution; it is not necessary to provide a letter of support from that PI, merely a statement regarding the response. Identification of any parts of the response that may not be shared with the European instrument PI (see below). The specific, unique U.S. expertise that the proposed contribution provides. The anticipated science return to the U.S. community. A description of the component(s) that are being provided, including current technology readiness level (TRL) and critical interfaces to the instrument. A description of the work planned, ROM of cost through study and definition phases (A/B1), and approximate cost from Adoption to launch (phases B2 through D). Any other information that might be helpful to NASA in planning its future program. Material in a RFI response is confidential, nonbinding on the respondent, and will be used by NASA for information and planning purposes only. NASA reserves the right to share the information collected with the Athena instrument PIs to the extent possible, but will not share any information responders identify as not to be shared. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information requested. No proposals will be awarded funding as a result of this RFI. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on FedBizOps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. Instructions All responses submitted in response to this RFI must be submitted in electronic form via NSPIRES, the NASA online announcement data management system, located at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . For this RFI, a response will take the form of a Notice of Intent (NOI) within the NSPIRES online announcement data management system. You must be registered with NSPIRES to submit a RFI. See registration instructions at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Getting an account"). You do not need to affiliate with an institution to respond to an RFI. In order to submit a response to this RFI, use the NSPIRES procedure for submitting an NOI: 1. Log in to your account at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . 2. Select "Proposals" from your account page. 3. Select "Create NOI" from your proposals page. 4. Click "Continue" on next page. 5. Select "Request for Information: NNH15ZDA003L (Possible U.S. Contributions to ESAs Athena Mission Focal Plane Instruments)" from bullet list of announcements, click "Continue." 6. Enter RFI title ("NOI title" field will be shown). 7. Select "do not link at this time for submitting organization page. 8. Click "Save" on next page. 9. It is not necessary to complete any of the "NOI Details"; all requested information should be included in the attached PDF document. 10. Prepare your RFI offline and save as PDF (note NSPIRES instructions on pdf formats). Please include PI Name, institution, and e-mail address, so the file is self-contained. File name should be "PI Last Name, first name: RFI". The response should not exceed three pages in length. 11. To upload your PDF white paper: a. Click "add" under NOI attachments section; b. Select "Proposal Document" from drop down list; c. Browse to attach your PDF file; d. Select "Upload"; e. Click "OK"; f. Your RFI document has been uploaded to NSPIRES. 12. Click Submit NOI button. Please note: You may delete and replace form fields and uploaded documents anytime before the submission deadline.