Physics of the Cosmos
Exploring fundamental questions regarding the physical forces of the universe

Physics of the Cosmos Program Analysis Group Mission Studies

NOTE: This webpage is not currently maintained. Information here is for archival purposes only. For up-to-date information please go to the NASA / ASD Athena Page.

NASA-ESA Athena Study

NASA is working with ESA to define the possible NASA contribution to this ESA-led X-ray mission.

The ESA Athena page, which should be consulted for information about the mission, is here: ESA Athena Page.

One U.S. scientist, Randall Smith of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been selected for the SST. Robert Petre of GSFC and Michael Garcia of NASA/HQ are ex-officio members. The full membership of ESA's Athena SST is given in the list below (see Athena Team Membership).

ESA's Athena Science Study Team

Team Members

Name Institution
Xavier Barcons IFCA, ES
Didier Barret IRAP, FR
Anne Decourchelle CEA Saclay, FR
Jan-Willem den Herder SRON, NL
Andrew Fabian Cambridge, UK
Hironori Matsumoto Nagoya U, JP
Kirpal Nandra MPE, DE
Luigi Piro INAF, IT
Randall Smith CfA, U.S.
Richard Willingale Leicester, UK

In July 2014, NASA issued a Dear Colleague Letter asking for community participation in the ESA Athena Science Study Team.

In November 2014, NASA issued a second Dear Colleague Letter asking for community participation in the Athena Science Study Team Working Groups.

In November 2015, the Athena Science Study Team re-opened applications for membership to the Community Working Groups. US scientists should apply directly via the ASST web site (rather than via NASA) by the Dec 31, 2015 deadline. More information is available on ESA Athena websites for both the Athena community working group structure and membership as well as the application form.

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