- Type
- Announcement of Opportunity
- Dates
- Release
- Jun 09, 2026
- APSMEX26 Proposals Due
- Sep 09, 2026
- APSMEX26 Mandatory NOIs Due
- Jul 21, 2026
- Title
- Announcement of Opportunity (AO) Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX)
- Number
- NNH26ZDA011O
- Nois Due
- Jul 21, 2026
- Pdf Text
- NNH26ZDA011O Release Date: June 9, 2026
Amended August 6, 2026
Announcement of
Opportunity
Astrophysics Explorers Program
2026 Small Explorer (SMEX)
Mandatory Notice of Intent Due Date: July 21, 2026
Proposal Due Date: September 9, 2026
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Announcement of Opportunity
ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM
2026 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX)
NNH26ZDA011O
FOREWORD
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate
(SMD) is releasing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to solicit Principal Investigator (PI)-
led space science investigations for the Small Explorer (SMEX) opportunity under the
Astrophysics Explorers Program.
The AO Cost Cap for an Astrophysics SMEX mission is $190M in NASA Fiscal Year (FY) 2026
dollars, not including the cost of standard launch vehicle and launch services, or any
contributions. Application of AO-specified incentives and/or charges may result in a proposal-
specific Adjusted AO Cost Cap.
Improvements in the efficiency of the Astrophysics Explorers Program enable improvements in
the frequency of spaceflight flight opportunities in this program, which is an overall goal of the
program (section 2.3 Astrophysics Explorers Program Goals and Objectives). In order to
increase the efficiency of this Astrophysics SMEX opportunity, proposed investigations will be
evaluated and selected through a single-step competitive process. The effectiveness of a single-
step competitive process in a NASA AO has been previously demonstrated for investigations of
scope comparable to the APD SMEX in the 2021 Earth System Science Pathfinder Program
Earth Venture Mission - 3 (EVM-3) AO (NNH21ZDA002O). The 2026 Astrophysics SMEX
opportunity builds on the EVM-3 experience with the goal of improving process efficiency and
reducing the time between proposal submission and launch readiness.
Additional improvements in the efficiency of the Astrophysics Explorers Program processes are
also sought. SMEX AO solicits concepts for improvements achieved by adjustments to
tailorable NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Processes and
Requirement (Section 5.2.4, Requirement 29). While baseline proposed investigations must be
compliant with NPR 7120.5, concepts identified in response to Requirement 29 will be reviewed
for viability and may subsequently be adopted for the selected investigation. Meritorious
concepts will be considered as programmatic strengths, as noted in section 7.3.
NASA intends to select one investigation proposal through a single-step competitive process to
proceed into a combined Phase A&B. Subject to continued budget availability, a successful
Preliminary Design Review, and mission confirmation (KDP C), the selected investigation will
proceed to subsequent mission phases. The selected mission must be ready for launch no later
than September 30 December 5, 2031. [Amended August 6, 2026].
Proposers should be aware of the following major changes as they appear in this AO from
previous Astrophysics Explorers Program AOs.
• The AO Cost Cap has been increased to $190M in FY 2026 dollars (FY26$) from $145M
in FY 2020 dollars (FY20$) in the Astrophysics Explorers Program 2019 SMEX AO.
- ii -
• PI-provided access to space is not solicited. AO-provided rideshare and use of the
International Space Station (ISS) are not solicited.
• 2026 Astrophysics Explorer Program Missions of Opportunity investigations are not
solicited.
• Planetary Protection requirements will apply to proposals submitted in response to this
AO (Section 5.1.7).
• Mission assurance requirements and implementation policies associated with Class D
missions have changed with the introductions of SMD Policy Document (SPD)-39,
Science Mission Directorate Policy: SMD Standard Mission Assurance Requirements
For Payload Classification D and SPD-48: NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD)
Category3/Class-D Projects Implementation Policy (Sections 5.2.3 and 7.2.4). A copy of
these documents, as applicable to APSMEX26, can be found in the APSMEX26 Program
Library.
• Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Services (TDRSS) is no longer available.
Communications Services Project (CSP) brochures of providers of TDRSS-like
capabilities are posted to the Program Library. Proposers should work with the office of
Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) to understand potential commercial
service alternatives (Section 5.2.7.2).
• Near Space Network (NSN) and Deep Space Network (DSN) ground station usage costs
will be accounted for as reductions to the AO Cost Cap (Section 5.2.7.3).
• Conjunction Analysis and Collision Avoidance requirements in NPR 8079.1 Collision
Avoidance for Space Environment Protection will apply to investigations selected
through this AO. Proposers must budget costs under the PI-Managed Mission Cost
(PIMMC) to establish a working interface between the Flight Operations Team and the
Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis (CARA) or Multi-mission Automated Deepspace
Conjunction Assessment Process (MADCAP) team after selection (Section 5.2.10).
• Investigations with proposed orbit altitudes between 400 km and 1200 km will be
expected to be able to execute at least three collision avoidance mitigation actions
(Section 5.2.10).
• For projects with a proposed PI-Managed Mission Cost (PIMMC) less than $120M
(FY26$), NASA grants a deviation from the NFS EVM requirements on cost or fixed-
price incentive contracts in the greater than $50M (RY) categories (see Approved
Deviation from FAR and NFS EVMS Policy for SMD Class D) (Section 5.3.7)
• The proposal must state the fraction of the PIMMC incurred prior to KDP C
(Confirmation) and justify the cost elements (e.g., long-lead items) that are beyond the
scope of the Formulation phase (Requirement 64).
• Minimum unencumbered cost reserves shall be 20% for Phase E (Requirement 71).
• The process for clarification of Potential Major Weaknesses has been expanded (Section
7.1.1). A document, titled Clarification Response Document Requirements, describing the
requirements associated with the clarifications process is included in the APSMEX26
Program Library.
Proposers should be aware of the following major changes in this AO from the Draft 2025
Astrophysics SMEX AO released for community comment on January 13, 2025.
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• Investigation proposals submitted will be selected on the basis of a single-step process.
The selection process in the Final APSMEX 2026 AO will not include competitive
Phase A studies.
• The provision of a quad chart is now required in the proposal, providing a standardized
one-page summary of the mission details.
• The title to Section 1.2 has been changed to NASA’s Policies on Discrimination and
Harassment and the content modified.
• Section 4.1.4 titled Education and Engagement has been added.
• The Project Manager (PM) and Project System Engineer (PSE) (Sections 5.3.2 and 5.3.3)
shall be named in the proposal.
• Pursuant to the Executive Order dated January 20, 2025, and its revocation of Executive
Order 13985, factor B-6 “Merit of the Inclusion Plan…” has been deleted. Inclusion
Plans are neither required nor will they be evaluated if they are included in the proposal.
• The adjectival summary rating for the criteria scientific merit and scientific
implementation merit defined in section 7.2.1 include definitions for Excellent/Very
Good and Very Good/Good. Half-step ratings will not be allowed to be assigned by
evaluators.
• NPR 7120.5 requirements on ANSI/EIA-748-compliant EVM are applicable for both
NASA in-house and contracted portions of the work for projects with a proposed PIMMC
of $120M (FY26) or greater.
• For categorization, scientific merit will be weighted approximately 35%, scientific
implementation merit and feasibility will be weighted approximately 30%, and Technical
Management and Cost (TMC) feasibility will be weighted approximately 35%.
• Evaluation of the TMC risk rating will be graded using a five-bin rating system as
defined in Section 7.2.1. Half-step ratings will not be allowed to be assigned by
evaluators.
• Investigations that have any component that lands on the lunar surface must be designed
to avoid deployments and activities within 2 km of sensitive areas.
In addition to the listed major changes, this AO incorporates a large number of additional
changes relative to previous Astrophysics Explorers Program AOs including both policy changes
and changes to proposal submission requirements. Proposers must read this AO carefully, and all
proposals must comply with the requirements, constraints, and guidelines contained within this
AO. Additional information addressing the NASA expectations of proposals will be provided in
the Pre-Proposal Conference (PPC). The PPC slides will be posted on the 2026 Astrophysics
SMEX Acquisition Website.
NOTICE: This amendment makes the following changes:
1. Corrected the Launch Readiness Dates (LRD) previously listed as September 30,
2031, in the Foreword and Requirement 98, to match the intended date of December
5, 2031, listed in “3. Proposal Opportunity Period and Schedule”.
2. Updated Center Engineering, Safety, and Operations (CESO) rate to $18K (FY26)
listed in Section 5.7.6 Full Cost Accounting for NASA Facilities and Personnel per
NASA Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) guidance provided in May 2026.
- iv -
3. Updated the first sentence in Section 6.2.2 Certifications to use the term
"Authorizing Organizational Representative (AOR)" to match NSPIRES and
deleted “authorizing institutional signature on the proposal”.
4. Added a 1-page allocation to accommodate the PI commitment requested in Section
5.10.1 Commitment for a Single-Step Selection to Appendix A in Table B0: “Proposal
Structure and Page Limits” of the AO.
5. Increased the page allocation in Table B0: “Proposal Structure and Page Limits”
for proposal sections D&E to 32 (rounding up from 31.5) to avoid disagreements
over half-page formatting. This change refers to the page allocation for the two
sections combined.
6. Deleted “GN2 purge” from the list of examples, in Requirement B-52 because the
Launch Services Program (LSP) Launch Services Information Summary (LSIS)
defines it as a standard service.
7. Deleted the words “and the cover page signature are…” from Requirement B-63.
The certification of compliance is accomplished through NSPRIES.
8. The June 9th AO published on NSPIRES showed only the titles of Table B3a “Total
Mission Cost RY$ Profile Template”, and Table B3b “Total Mission Cost FY26$
Profile Template” and did not display either table’s image. Images for Tables B3a
and B3b have been added. A Microsoft Excel template that contains both tables
remains available in the Program Library.
9. Updated the threshold for providing certified cost or pricing data to $10 million to
be consistent with ongoing Federal acquisition reforms per NASA Office of
Procurement guidance provided August 2026.
In this amendment, additions within the AO are noted with bold text and deletions are
noted with strikethrough text. The proposal due date remains unchanged. [Amended
August 6, 2026].
- v -
Announcement of Opportunity
ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM
2026 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX)
NNH26ZDA011O
Table of Contents
Foreword .................................................................................................................................................i
1. Description of Opportunity ...................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 NASA’s Policies on Discrimination and Harassment .................................................................. 2
1.3 NASA Mission Career Development Opportunities .................................................................... 2
1.4 NASA Safety Priorities ................................................................................................................... 3
2. AO Objectives............................................................................................................................ 3
2.1 NASA Strategic Goals ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Explorers Program Background ................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Astrophysics Explorers Program Goals and Objectives ............................................................. 4
3. Proposal Opportunity Period and Schedule ........................................................................... 5
4. Policies Applicable to this AO .................................................................................................. 5
4.1 NASA Management Policies........................................................................................................... 5
4.1.1 NASA Flight Program and Project Requirements .................................................................................. 6
4.1.2 NASA Program Management ................................................................................................................. 7
4.1.3 Mission Communications ....................................................................................................................... 8
4.1.4 Education and Engagement .................................................................................................................. 10
4.1.5 Project Category and Payload Risk Classification Policy .................................................................... 10
4.1.6 Remediation, Termination, or Cancellation.......................................................................................... 11
4.2 Participation Policies .................................................................................................................... 12
4.2.1 Eligibility to Participate in this AO ...................................................................................................... 12
4.2.2 Restrictions Involving China ................................................................................................................ 13
4.2.3 Constraints on Investigations that are Candidates for Selection .......................................................... 13
4.2.4 Responsibility of Principal Investigator for Implementation ............................................................... 13
4.2.5 NASA Concurrence for Replacement, Addition, or Removal of Named Key Management Team
Members and Co-Is........................................................................................................................................ 13
4.3 Cost Policies ................................................................................................................................... 14
4.3.1 PI-Managed Mission Cost .................................................................................................................... 14
4.3.2 Total Mission Cost................................................................................................................................ 14
4.3.3 Enhanced PI-Managed Mission Cost.................................................................................................... 14
4.3.4 Project Funding Profile ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.3.5 Availability of Appropriated Funds ...................................................................................................... 15
4.4 Scientific Information Policies ..................................................................................................... 15
4.4.1 Delivery of Investigation Data to Archive............................................................................................ 15
4.4.2 Development of Mission Software ....................................................................................................... 16
4.5 Intellectual Property Rights ......................................................................................................... 17
- vi -
4.5.1 Invention Rights.................................................................................................................................... 17
4.5.2 Data Rights ........................................................................................................................................... 17
4.5.3 Software Rights .................................................................................................................................... 17
4.5.4 Sensitive Government Information....................................................................................................... 18
4.5.5 Trademark ............................................................................................................................................. 18
4.6 Project Management Policies ....................................................................................................... 18
4.6.1 Independent Verification and Validation of Software .......................................................................... 18
4.6.2 Cost Analysis Data Requirement (CADRe) ......................................................................................... 19
5. Requirements and Constraints .............................................................................................. 19
5.1 Science Requirements ................................................................................................................... 19
5.1.1 Scope of Proposed Investigation .......................................................................................................... 19
5.1.2 Investigation Science Objectives and Requirements ............................................................................ 19
5.1.3 Traceability of Proposed Investigation ................................................................................................. 20
5.1.4 Data Analysis, Open Science, and Data Management Plans ................................................................ 20
5.1.5 Baseline and Threshold Science Investigations .................................................................................... 21
5.1.6 Level 1 and Level 2 Requirements ....................................................................................................... 22
5.1.7 Planetary Protection .............................................................................................................................. 22
5.1.8 Science Enhancement Options ............................................................................................................. 23
5.1.9 Citizen Science ..................................................................................................................................... 24
5.2 Technical Requirements ............................................................................................................... 24
5.2.1 Complete Spaceflight Missions ............................................................................................................ 24
5.2.2 Project Category and Payload Risk Classification Requirement .......................................................... 25
5.2.3 Deviations from Recommended Payload Requirements ...................................................................... 25
5.2.4 Accepted Management Processes and Practices ................................................................................... 25
5.2.5 New Technologies/Advanced Engineering Developments .................................................................. 27
5.2.6 Environmental Compliance .................................................................................................................. 27
5.2.7 Telecommunications, Tracking, and Navigation .................................................................................. 30
5.2.8 Critical Event Coverage ........................................................................................................................ 35
5.2.9 Orbital Debris Assessment and End-of-Mission Spacecraft Disposal Requirement ............................ 36
5.2.10 Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis ............................................................................................. 36
5.2.11 Mission Operations Tools and Services ............................................................................................. 37
5.2.12 Lunar Artifacts Protection and Preservation....................................................................................... 37
5.2.13 Project Protection Plan ....................................................................................................................... 37
5.2.14 Cybersecurity ...................................................................................................................................... 38
5.3 Management Requirements ......................................................................................................... 38
5.3.1 Principal Investigator ............................................................................................................................ 38
5.3.2 Project Manager .................................................................................................................................... 39
5.3.3 Project Systems Engineer ..................................................................................................................... 39
5.3.4 Management Approach......................................................................................................................... 39
5.3.5 Management and Organization Experience and Expertise ................................................................... 39
5.3.6 Risk Management ................................................................................................................................. 40
5.3.7 Earned Value Management Plan .......................................................................................................... 40
5.3.8 Compliance with Procurement Regulations by NASA PI Proposals ................................................... 41
5.4 Science Team, Co-Investigators, and Collaborators .................................................................. 41
5.4.1 Science Team ........................................................................................................................................ 41
5.4.2 Co-Investigators .................................................................................................................................... 41
5.4.3 Collaborators......................................................................................................................................... 42
5.5 Student Collaboration (SC) .......................................................................................................... 42
5.6 Small Business Participation ........................................................................................................ 43
5.7 Cost Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 44
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5.7.1 PI-Managed Mission Cost and Total Mission Cost .............................................................................. 44
5.7.2 Cost of Phase A .................................................................................................................................... 45
5.7.3 Cost Estimating Methodologies and Cost Reserve Management ......................................................... 45
5.7.4 Work Breakdown Structure .................................................................................................................. 46
5.7.5 Master Equipment List ......................................................................................................................... 46
5.7.6 Full Cost Accounting for NASA Facilities and Personnel ................................................................... 46
5.7.7 Contributions ........................................................................................................................................ 48
5.8 Non-U.S. Participation Requirements ......................................................................................... 50
5.8.1 Overview of Non-U.S. Participation .................................................................................................... 50
5.8.2 General Guidelines Applicable to Non-U.S. Proposals and Proposals including Non-U.S. Participation
....................................................................................................................................................................... 51
5.8.3 Agreements with Selected Non-U.S. Participants ................................................................................ 52
5.8.4 Export Control Guidelines Applicable to Non-U.S. Proposals and Proposals including Non-U.S.
Participation ................................................................................................................................................... 52
5.9 Additional Proposal Requirements ............................................................................................. 52
5.9.1 Institutional Letters of Commitment .................................................................................................... 52
5.9.2 Personal Letters of Commitment .......................................................................................................... 53
5.9.3 Export-Controlled Material in Proposals .............................................................................................. 54
5.9.4 Classified Materials .............................................................................................................................. 55
5.10 Program Specific Requirements and Constraints .................................................................... 58
5.10.1 Commitment for a Single-Step Selection ........................................................................................... 58
5.10.2 Schedule Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 58
5.10.3 AO-Provided Access to Space ............................................................................................................ 58
6. Proposal Submission Information ......................................................................................... 59
6.1 Preproposal Activities ................................................................................................................... 59
6.1.1 Preproposal Conference ........................................................................................................................ 59
6.1.2 Notice of Intent to Propose ................................................................................................................... 60
6.1.3 Teaming Interest ................................................................................................................................... 61
6.1.4 Acquisition Home Page and Program Library...................................................................................... 61
6.1.5 Point of Contact for Further Information.............................................................................................. 62
6.2 Proposal Preparation and Submission ........................................................................................ 62
6.2.1 Structure of the Proposal ...................................................................................................................... 62
6.2.2 Certifications......................................................................................................................................... 62
6.2.3 Submission of Proposals ....................................................................................................................... 62
6.2.4 Electronic Submission of Proposal Summary Information .................................................................. 63
7. Proposal Evaluation, Selection, and Implementation .......................................................... 64
7.1 Overview of the Proposal Evaluation and Selection Process .................................................... 64
7.1.1 Evaluation Process ................................................................................................................................ 64
7.1.2 Categorization and Steering Process .................................................................................................... 65
7.1.3 Selection Process .................................................................................................................................. 65
7.2 Evaluation Criteria ....................................................................................................................... 66
7.2.1 Overview of Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................................... 66
7.2.2 Scientific Merit of the Proposed Investigation ..................................................................................... 68
7.2.3 Scientific Implementation Merit and Feasibility of the Proposed Investigation .................................. 69
7.2.4 TMC Feasibility of the Proposed Mission Implementation ................................................................. 71
7.3 Selection Factors............................................................................................................................ 73
7.4 Implementation of Selected Proposals ........................................................................................ 74
7.4.1 Notification of Selection ....................................................................................................................... 74
7.4.2 Award Administration and Funding in Phase A ................................................................................... 74
- viii -
7.4.3 Confirmation of Investigations ............................................................................................................. 76
7.5 Opportunity for Debriefing of Nonselected Proposers .............................................................. 76
7.6 Process for Appeals ....................................................................................................................... 76
7.6.1 Agency Procurement Ombudsman ....................................................................................................... 76
7.6.2 Protests .................................................................................................................................................. 76
8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 77
Appendix A : RESERVED ....................................................................................................... A-1
Appendix B : REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION ............................. B-1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... B-1
General Requirements ...................................................................................................................... B-1
A. NSPIRES Cover Pages and Graphic Cover Page ..................................................................... B-5
A.1 NSPIRES Cover Pages ......................................................................................................................... B-5
A.2 Graphic Cover Page .............................................................................................................................. B-6
B. Fact Sheet and quad chart ........................................................................................................... B-7
C. Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... B-8
D. Science Investigation .................................................................................................................... B-8
D.1 Scientific Background, Goals, and Objectives ..................................................................................... B-8
D.2 Science Requirements ........................................................................................................................... B-8
D.3 Threshold Science Investigation ........................................................................................................... B-9
E. SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................... B-9
E.1 Science Mission Profile ......................................................................................................................... B-9
E.2 Instrumentation...................................................................................................................................... B-9
E.3 Data Analysis, Data Sufficiency, and Open Science and Data Management Plan ............................. B-10
E.4 Science Team ...................................................................................................................................... B-11
F. Mission Implementation ............................................................................................................. B-11
F.1 General Requirements and Mission Traceability ................................................................................ B-11
F.2 Mission Concept Descriptions ............................................................................................................. B-12
F.3 Development Approach ....................................................................................................................... B-17
F.4 New Technologies/Advanced Engineering Developments ................................................................. B-18
F.5 Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T); System Verification and Validation (SV&V) ................... B-19
F.6 Schedule .............................................................................................................................................. B-19
G. Management ............................................................................................................................... B-20
H. Cost and Cost Estimating Methodology................................................................................... B-22
I. Optional Student Collaboration Plan ........................................................................................ B-23
J. Proposal Appendices ................................................................................................................... B-23
J.1 Table of Proposal Participants ............................................................................................................. B-24
J.2 Letters of Commitment ........................................................................................................................ B-25
J.3 Resumes ............................................................................................................................................... B-25
J.4 Summary of Proposed Program Cooperative Contributions ................................................................ B-25
J.5 Draft International Participation Plan - Discussion on Compliance with U.S. Export Laws and B-
Regulations ................................................................................................................................................ B-26
J.6 Open Science and Data Management Plan Approach.......................................................................... B-27
J.7 Draft Sample and Space Exposed Hardware Curation Plan ................................................................ B-27
J.8 Planetary Protection Plan ..................................................................................................................... B-27
- ix -
J.9 Discussion of Limiting the Generation of Orbital Debris and End of Mission Spacecraft Disposal
Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. B-28
J.10 Infusion Plan for NASA-Developed Enabling Technology Demonstration Opportunity ................. B-29
J.11 Compliance with Procurement Regulations by NASA PI Proposals ................................................. B-29
J.12 Master Equipment List ....................................................................................................................... B-29
J.13 Heritage .............................................................................................................................................. B-30
J.14 Classified Materials............................................................................................................................ B-31
J.15 Driving Level 2 Requirements ........................................................................................................... B-31
J.16 Citizen Science Plan ........................................................................................................................... B-31
J.17 Planned NPR 7120.5 Requirements Tailoring (optional) .................................................................. B-31
J.18 Certifications Amendments (optional) ............................................................................................... B-31
J.19 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ................................................................................................. B-32
J.20 List of References .............................................................................................................................. B-32
Appendix C : GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................... C-1
A. GLOSSARY OF TERMS ............................................................................................................C-1
B. COST ELEMENT DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................C-8
C. ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................C-10
Appendix D : PROGRAM LIBRARY .................................................................................... D-1
Appendix E : RESERVED ....................................................................................................... E-1
Appendix F : COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST..........................................................................F-1
Appendix G : RESERVED....................................................................................................... G-1
Appendix H : REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS........................................ H-1
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Announcement of Opportunity
ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER PROGRAM
2026 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX)
NNH26ZDA011O
1. Description of Opportunity
1.1 Introduction
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issues this Announcement of
Opportunity (AO) for the purpose of soliciting proposals for investigations to be implemented
through its Astrophysics Explorers Program. All investigations proposed in response to this
solicitation must support the goals
- Documents
- Url
- https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument?cmdocumentid=1134187&solicitationId={3E02886A-26EA-541A-9740-354B332F143A}&viewSolicitationDocument=1
- Title
- Announcement of Opportunity (AO) Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX) as amended on 08062026 (.pdf)
- Title
- Link to 2026 Astrophysics SMEX Acquisition Website
- Url
- https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument?cmdocumentid=1139169&solicitationId={3E02886A-26EA-541A-9740-354B332F143A}&viewSolicitationDocument=1
- Title
- APSMEX26 Pre-Proposal Conference information (.pdf)
- Description
- - NOTICE: August 6, 2026. Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX) AO has been amended. A number of changes have been made. These are summarized in both the amendment document posted on this page and near the beginning of the amended AO document. Changes within the AO text are noted using bold font or strikethrough. The due dates are unchanged.
- Directorate
- Science Mission Directorate
- File Excerpt
- NNH26ZDA011O Release Date: June 9, 2026 Amended August 6, 2026 Announcement of Opportunity Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX) Mandatory Notice of Intent Due Date: July 21, 2026 Proposal Due Date: September 9, 2026 - i - Announcement of Opportunity ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM 2026 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) NNH26ZDA011O FOREWORD The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to solicit Principal Investigator (PI)- led space science investigations for the Small Explorer (SMEX) opportunity under the Astrophysics Explorers Program.
- Release Date
- Jun 09, 2026
- Contact Email
- hq-smd-spd41@mail.nasa.gov
- Contact Phone
- 2024001647
- Proposals Due
- Sep 09, 2026
NASAIssuing agency·Washington, DC·via a public procurement portal