NASA has chosen SpaceX to provide launch services for the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission, with a firm-fixed-price contract valued at approximately $69 million. The contract includes launch services and other mission-related costs. The COSI mission is scheduled to launch in August 2027 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
NASA selected COSI in 2021 as part of the SMEX program with an estimated cost at the time, not including launch, of $145 million.
The COSI mission is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe by embarking on an unprecedented exploration of high-energy phenomena within the Milky Way and beyond. This cutting-edge wide-field gamma-ray telescope is designed to tackle four primary objectives:
Image by Jim Willis, courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation ½ Space Systems; background image courtesy of European Southern Observatory
Firstly, COSI aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding the origins of galactic positrons, a type of antimatter that permeates the Milky Way. By probing the sources of these positrons, scientists hope to gain valuable insights into the fundamental processes governing the galaxy's evolution.
Secondly, the mission seeks to identify the sites of nucleosynthesis, the process by which atomic nuclei are formed, within our galaxy. This knowledge will shed light on the creation of elements essential for life and the structure of the universe.
Thirdly, COSI will conduct pioneering studies on gamma-ray polarization, a phenomenon that holds the key to understanding the intrinsic nature of celestial sources. By analyzing the polarization properties of gamma rays, researchers can decipher the physical mechanisms driving these energetic events.
Lastly, the mission will endeavor to find counterparts to multi-messenger sources, a crucial step in deciphering the enigmatic language of the universe. By identifying the sources of cosmic signals, scientists can unlock new avenues for understanding the most extreme phenomena in the universe, from supernovae to black holes.
The compact Compton telescope offers improved sensitivity, spectral resolution, angular resolution, and sky coverage, enabling ground-breaking science.
The COSI mission is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together a diverse team of experts from five esteemed institutions to achieve a common goal. The University of California, Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory, renowned for its cutting-edge research in space physics, leads the mission's scientific charge. The University of California, San Diego, contributes its expertise in advanced instrumentation and data analysis. The Naval Research Laboratory, with its extensive experience in developing innovative space technologies, plays a crucial role in the mission's technical development. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, a hub for space science and engineering, provides vital support and resources for the mission's success. Finally, Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense company, brings its expertise in spacecraft design and manufacturing to the table. By combining their strengths and expertise, these five institutions have created a formidable team, poised to make ground-breaking discoveries in the field of gamma-ray astronomy.
The principal investigator-led project management team is located at the University of California, Berkeley. NASA's Astrophysics Explorers Program supports the project's development, while NASA's Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center manages the launch services.
This contract award demonstrates NASA's confidence in SpaceX's capabilities, and the COSI mission is expected to make significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.
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