1. SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instrument Plans & Technology Development Paul Hertz SOFIA Program Scientist & SMD Chief Scientist SOFIA Science Steering Committee September 29, 2009

2. 2 SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instruments SOFIA’s instrument suite can be upgraded, enhanced, refreshed throughout the life of the observatory Always part of the SOFIA program plan Funding for new instrument call one component of SOFIA budget Funding for selections available in FY12, so planning is underway for an FY11 solicitation This will be a Federal procurement activity, so care must be taken not to violate any of the Federal acquisition regulations Information must be provided to all potential proposers in an open forum (no special access) Care must be taken not to create any organizational conflicts of interest for USRA and others

3. 3 SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instruments Basic principles/assumptions: The solicitation will be released by SMD at NASA HQ, and SMD will take full responsibility for the solicitation and the solicitation/evaluation/selection process. The solicitation will be fully open to the science community; therefore care must be taken to assure that there is no appearance of favoritism by the SOFIA Project (ARC, USRA) to any proposers. The selected investigation must be technically feasible within the SOFIA Observatory system; therefore participation by the SOFIA Project in providing technical constraints for the AO, technical information for proposers, and technical evaluation of proposals is critical. Proposers who are knowledgeable about the current capabilities and future possibilities of SOFIA is critical; therefore the SOFIA Project must be proactive in creating the conditions for excellent proposals. SMD has established processes and practices for soliciting and selecting instruments, and the community generally understands and trusts those processes and practices; therefore, to the greatest extent possible, existing SMD processes and practices will be used.

4. 4 SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instruments There are several issues which must be established early so that the solicitation can be carried out smoothly. These include Setting up appropriate firewalls at ARC and DFRC Establishing the role of USRA and setting up any necessary firewalls, contract clauses, conflict avoidance plans, etc. Because these issues have not yet been resolved, and because the necessary legal protections are not yet in place, public discussions are still very general.

5. 5 SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instruments Some open questions about the solicitation The solicitation will be open to all SOFIA instrument proposals. Should the solicitation also reference specific areas of science or specific technical capabilities? How would these specific areas be determined? (“NASA solicits proposals in any area, but NASA is particularly interested in proposals in the following areas.”) Should the solicitation permit anything other than facility instruments to be proposed, such as PI-class instruments? Should the solicitation permit upgrades and modifications to existing instruments, in addition to new instruments? How can the US plan be coordinated with the German plan for the benefit of SOFIA science?

6. 6 SOFIA 2 nd Generation Instruments A notional schedule § Start writing draft solicitation: Spring 2010 Pre-solicitation workshop: Summer 2010 Science Council meeting: August 2010 Draft solicitation released: September 2010 Solicitation released: January 2011 Proposals due: April 2011 Selection announced: September 2011 Contract initiated: October 2011 § Notional (adj.): theoretical, speculative, imaginary, fanciful

7. 7 SOFIA Technology Development The Astrophysics Division has organized its missions into three science-based thematic programs Cosmic Origins Exoplanet Exploration Physics of the Cosmos Each thematic program has budget lines for mission development, mission operations (including GO programs), technology development, and fellowships SOFIA is in the Cosmic Origins program Technology development for SOFIA and other Cosmic Origin missions is funded by the Cosmic Origins SR&T program There is no longer a technology development budget within the SOFIA project

8. 8 SOFIA Technology Development Current status SAFIRE technology development is being funded by the Cosmic Origins SR&T program Future plans Cosmic Origins SR&T has solicited technology priorities from all Cosmic Origins projects including SOFIA –SOFIA has referenced the SOFIA 20/20 Vision Report Cosmic Origins SR&T has also solicited detector development plans from NASA Centers Plans will be discussed with the Cosmic Origins PAG, once it is established Cosmic Origins is managed by Eric Smith (lead program scientist) and Michael Moore (lead program executive)