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Announcement of Opportunity (AO) Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX)

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NNH26ZDA011OGrant

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

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The document outlines NASA's Announcement of Opportunity for the Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX), inviting proposals for small-scale astrophysics missions. It provides comprehensive requirements starting with submission guidelines including cover pages, fact sheets, and detailed content structure. The contract emphasizes clear scientific objectives and investigation plans, requiring proposers to outline the scientific background, goals, and specific requirements of their mission. Proposals must also describe the threshold science investigation to ensure mission feasibility. Further sections detail the science implementation approach, including mission profiles, instrumentation specifics, data analysis plans, and commitments to open science and data management. The proposal must also include a thorough description of the science team and their roles. The mission implementation segment highlights general requirements, mission concept descriptions, development strategies, and the incorporation of new or advanced technologies. Developed by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, this solicitation encourages innovative small explorer missions that align with mission traceability and scientific priorities set forth by the agency.

General Info

NASA seeks proposals for 2026 Small Explorer astrophysics missions emphasizing clear scientific goals and innovative technology.

Agency

National Aeronautics And Space Administration → Science Mission Directorate

NAICS

927110 - Space Research and Technology View NAICS

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(1)

NASA Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer AO NNH26ZDA0110

PDF•announcement-of-opportunity

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Timeline

PhaseSolicitation
Posted

Solicitation

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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyNational Aeronautics And Space Administration → Science Mission Directorate
ContactsNo contacts available
OfficeUS
Organization / Agency
National Aeronautics And Space Administration → Science Mission Directorate
Office AddressUS
ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

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Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... B-1 General Requirements ..................................................................................................................... B-1 A. NSPIRES Cover Pages and Graphic Cover Page ..................................................................... B-5 A.1 NSPIRES Cover Pages ......................................................................................................................... B-5 A.2 Graphic Cover Page .............................................................................................................................. B-6 B. Fact Sheet and quad chart .......................................................................................................... B-7 C. Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... B-8 D. Science Investigation ................................................................................................................... B-8 D.1 Scientific Background, Goals, and Objectives ..................................................................................... B-8 D.2 Science Requirements .......................................................................................................................... B-8 D.3 Threshold Science Investigation ........................................................................................................... B-9 E. SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION .............................................................................................. B-9 E.1 Science Mission Profile ........................................................................................................................ B-9 E.2 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................................................... B-9 E.3 Data Analysis, Data Sufficiency, and Open Science and Data Management Plan .............................. B-10 E.4 Science Team ...................................................................................................................................... B-11 F. Mission Implementation ............................................................................................................ B-11 F.1 General Requirements and Mission Traceability ................................................................................ B-11 F.2 Mission Concept Descriptions ............................................................................................................ B-12 F.3 Development Approach ...................................................................................................................... B-17 F.4 New Technologies/Advanced Engineering Developments .......................................................

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