NASA Astrophysics Missions: Reviews of Operating Missions - Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope, Kepler, Planck, Suzaku, Swift, Spitzer, XMM-Newton

This is a compilation of the reports of the NASA Senior Review Committee (SRC) for 2012, 2010, and 2008 evaluating the scientific productivity of major astrophysics missions with recommendations for continued funding. The reports discuss the status and scientific accomplishments of each reviewed missions. Comments include spacecraft and instrument health and status, science strengths, relevance to NASA priorities, data accessibility, synergy with other missions and ground-based work, proposal weaknesses, overall assessment and recommendations. Missions reviewed in the 2012 report include: Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope, Kepler, Planck, Suzaku, Swift, Warm Spitzer, and XMM-Newton.

All missions continue operations after the 2012 Senior Review. HST continues at their currently funded levels. Chandra’s Guest Observer budget is increased to account for decreases in FY11. Swift and Kepler mission operations are extended through FY16 with funding for data analysis. Planck will support one year extended operations of the Low Frequency Instrument (LFI). Spitzer’s operations are extended through FY14 with closeout in FY15. U.S. science support of Suzaku is extended to March 2015, to provide one-year overlap with Astro-H. Funding for U.S. support of XMM-Newton is also extended through March 2015. Fermi operations are extended through FY16, with a 10 percent per year reduction starting in FY14. All FY15-FY16 decisions are for planning purposes and will be revisited in the 2014 Senior Review.

Contents: Part 1: 2012 Senior Review of Operating Missions in the NASA Astrophysics Division * Part 2: Report of the 2010 Senior Review of the Astrophysics Division Operating Missions * Part 3: Report of the 2008 Senior Review of the Astrophysics Division Operating Missions April 22 - 25, 2008.