Current planning calls for NASA SMD to release an AO in the fall of 2021 to solicit proposals for the Astrophysics MIDEX AO to accomplish Astrophysics Explorer Program science objectives.  NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing a mission concept to be proposed for this AO.

The partnership opportunity is being issued to select teaming partner(s) to serve as the satellite integrator for an individual mission; provide flight-qualified Class C spacecraft bus, instrument to spacecraft integration support, environmental testing, integration support for the spacecraft to launch vehicle, and initial mission operations (launch and early orbit operations).  GSFC intends to maintain an essential degree of insight into satellite integration and will exercise essential oversight to ensure that the implementation is responsive to NASA requirements and constraints as will be defined in upcoming AO.

NOTE:  Upon selection, GSFC may discuss and further tailor of the roles proposed by respondents in the best interests of the proposals.

The proposed mission is currently in pre-Phase A. If the proposal is down-selected, the next step in the proposal process is a mission concept study culminating in a Concept Study Report (CSR), which is the Step 2 proposal, and a Site Visit. The following schedule should be used as a basis for responses to this opportunity:

Release of draft AO                                       Winter 2020 (target)

Release of final AO                                        Fall 2021 (target)

Pre-proposal conference                                ~ 3 weeks after final AO release

Step 1 Proposals due                                      90 days after AO release

Selection for competitive Phase A studies      Fall 2022 (target)

CSRs due                                                        Spring 2023 (target)

Down-selection                                                Fall 2023 (target)

Spacecraft start date                                        Vendor specified

 Instrument Delivery for I&T                          36 months after start of Phase B (10/2026)

Launch (NLT 10/31/2028)      Vendor specified, soonest opportunity after I&T complete

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL DETAILS