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Astrophysics Probe Explorer

All articles tagged with #astrophysics probe explorer

space-exploration1 month ago•56 min saved

AXIS X-ray Telescope Cancellation Sparked by NASA Management Chaos, Says PI

AXIS (Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite), NASA’s planned replacement for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, was halted from eligibility in NASA’s Astrophysics Probe Explorer program amid 2025 budget-related mismanagement and turmoil at Goddard Space Flight Center. Project leader Christopher Reynolds says GSFC staff losses, furloughs, and leadership upheaval compromised AXIS’s Phase A submission, while NASA maintains the cancellation followed its standard review process. The upheaval included the early retirement of key tech developer Will Zhang and a seven-week shutdown, contributing to cost/schedule delays and prompting Reynolds to blame programmatic chaos rather than the science value of AXIS.

via Space|

#astrophysics-probe-explorer #axis #nasa

space1 month ago•5 min saved

AXIS knocked out of NASA's Probe competition amid 2025 upheaval

NASA has disqualified the AXIS X-ray telescope from the Astrophysics Probe Explorer competition, saying the concept did not meet the program’s cost and schedule requirements. AXIS’s lead says the setback stems from widespread 2025 agency upheaval and disruptions at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, including staffing losses and a government shutdown, while NASA maintains AXIS was not compliant with the 2023 AO. With AXIS eliminated, PRIMA remains the sole Probe candidate, prompting concern in the X-ray astronomy community about the field’s future and prompting discussion of pursuing smaller Explorer-class missions and awaiting future opportunities NASA plans to announce.

via SpaceNews|

#astrophysics-probe-explorer #axis #budget