(2016 – 2018)
NASA intends to partner with ESA on the third Large-Class mission (L3) in ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Programme, planned for launch in 2034. ESA has selected a gravitational wave observatory as the science theme. To this end, NASA has formed an L3 Study Team (L3ST) composed of selected members of the community. A Dear Colleague Letter was issued on December 7, 2015, soliciting nominations and self-nominations for the L3ST, with due date December 21, 2015. Submitted applications were reviewed by members of the NASA HQ Astrophysics Division and of the PCOS Program office, who then made selection recommendations.
The purpose of the "L3 Study" is to understand how NASA might participate in ESA's L3 Gravitational Wave mission, to inform our engagement through its earliest stages and to prepare for the 2020 decadal survey. The following individuals have been appointed to serve on the L3ST:
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Baker, John | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Bender, Peter | University of Colorado at Boulder |
| Berti, Emanuele | University of Mississippi |
| Conklin, John | University of Florida |
| Cornish, Neil | Montana State University |
| Cutler, Curt | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Holley-Bockelman, Kelly | Vanderbilt University |
| Larson, Shane | Northwestern University |
| McWilliams, Sean | West Virginia University |
| Miller, Cole | University of Maryland |
| Robertson, Norna | California Institute of Technology |
| Shoemaker, David (Chair) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Vallisneri, Michele | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Note: Ex-Officio NASA members of the L3ST: R. Sambruna, A. Hornschemeier, and I. Thorpe. In addition, A. Parmar has been appointed by ESA as an observer on the L3ST. | |
The L3ST held regular, open meetings.