PCOS Mission Studies

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: http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/athena

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 http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/athena/team-membership).

ESA's Athena Science Study Team

January 5, 2017: AAS Athena Splinter Meeting

December 14, 2015: Athena SST/SWG/US Co-Chairs Reports

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.

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.