The lack of partners led the European Space Agency to redesign the Athens telescope
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, FRANCE – The European Space Agency (ESA) is considering ways to redesign X-ray space telescope after a number of ESA member countries withdrew from the project. The Athena or Advanced Telescope for High-Energy Astrophysics was selected by ESA in 2014 and intended to be launched to the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point 2, a point about 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth on the planet’s night side.
There, he will study supermassive black holes, galaxy cluster formation, supernovae, and other cosmic phenomena by observing X-ray emission. SpaceNews reports ESA is now exploring the possibility of reducing the observatory design in the face of rising costs. The caption cites comments from Paul McNamara, ESA’s astronomy and astrophysics coordinator, during a July 21 presentation to the American Space Agency’s (NASA) Astrophysics and Astronomy Committee.
Reported Space as of Tuesday (9/8/2022), Athens had an estimated cost of around 1.17 billion euros, adjusted for today’s prices, when it was first voted. But by May this year, the forecast had grown to 1.9 billion euros, according to the report.
The mission has progressed well on the technology side, including the development of a new lightweight mirror. However, ESA fees have increased as a number of partners withdrew. “Some member states have concluded that they cannot fulfill their commitments,” said McNamara, who asked the ESA to take over their responsibilities.
ESA wants the cost increase to have no impact on other missions and is now looking to re-cover or rescope Athens to reduce prices. McNamara said the agency did not want to cancel the project.
The revised design, known as NewAthena, will likely change the configuration of the project’s science instruments and mission science objectives. The mission was originally slated for launch in 2028, but changes to the mission could have implications for its schedule.
Changes could also impact NASA, which is involved in science payloads, providing testing and calibration hardware and facilities. McNamara suggested the ESA would be open to more intensive engagement from the space agency as an option rescope.
“Nothing is covered up. We’re looking for whatever we can try to get the best mission possible within the constraints of the program,” he said.
