Slide4:
NASA/ CXC/ Rutgers/ J. Warren & J. Hughes et al. Chandra X-ray Observatory Tycho’s Remnant
Significant Events:
Significant Events Suzaku (Astro-E2) XRS instrument lost.
JWST mirror machining mishap on primary mirror. Mishap understood.
Hubble successfully transitioned to 2-gyro mode on 8-28-05.
GP-B cryogen exhausted on 9-29-05.
GLAST final tower shipped from INFN.
Keck Interferometric nulling of starlight has been achieved at 10 microns, with 1% residual leakage.
Beyond Einstein event at NASM on 9-14-05.
Astrophysics Theory Program and Beyond Einstein Foundation Science Peer Reviews held 9/20-22 in CA.
Universe Working Group meeting held 9-15-05.
Three scientists recently detailed to the Division: Dr. Doug Hudgins (Ames, LDP), Dr. David Leisawitz (GSFC, Spitzer PS), Dr. Chryssa Kouveliotou (Marshall, LDP).
The Natl Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, TX, a major recovery site for Columbia debris was renamed the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.
Slide6:
Suzaku Loss of Instrument
X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) Five anomalous events (“helium puffs”) were seen in the XRS detector system beginning Jul 29, culminating in the loss of the instrument on Aug 8.
A joint NASA/JAXA Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) was pursued. JAXA prefers separate Boards.
Go-ahead given for NASA Mishap Investigation Board to proceed Sep 7.
NASA MIB has been convened.
Chair is Walt Brooks from ARC.
Inaugural telecon occurred Sep 16.
First meeting of full Board scheduled for Sep 27-29 at GSFC.
JAXA has convened their own Mishap Investigation Committee; met Sep 14 in Tokyo with NASA observer present.
The NASA and JAXA committees will work closely together.
Astro-E2/Suzaku mission continues with instruments XIS (X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer) and HXD (Hard X-ray Detector), with reduced MO&DA funding.
New Cycle 1 observing program will be selected; ROSES amendment in preparation by Smale/Hertz with a due date of Jan 6, 2006.
Slide7:
Universe Division
Developmental Missions Status
Slide8:
Universe Division
Operating Missions Status
Science Updates:
Science Updates SWIFT: Newest Observatory Detects Gamma Rays February 15, 2005 *
Hubble: Heaviest Stars in the Galaxy March 9, 2005
Spitzer: Spitzer Marks New Age of Planetary Science March 22, 2005 *
Spitzer: Asteroid Belt Around Mature, Sun-like Star April 20, 2005
Chandra: Catches X-ray Super-flares May 10, 2005
Hubble: Chases Unruly Planet June 22, 2005
Swift: Most Distant Explosion Detected September 12, 2005
Swift/HETE-2: Origin of Short Gamma-ray Bursts October 5, 2005 *
* Televised events
Future Events:
Future Events WISE Confirmation Review on Oct 14, 2005.
Chandra’s Six Years of Science - Cambridge, MA, Nov 2-4, 2005.
Spitzer’s second annual science symposium “Infrared Diagnostics of Galaxy Evolution” - Pasadena, CA, Nov 14-16, 2005.
SOFIA replan PMC - Oct.