NASA has pulled the plug on one of its two major astrophysics proposals, the Advanced X-Ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS). Christopher Reynolds, the project’s leader, expressed frustration in a recent email, citing turmoil within NASA as a major factor in the disqualification.
In a message dated March 9, Reynolds explained that NASA decided AXIS did not meet the necessary budget and schedule criteria for eligibility. He felt that the astronomical community deserved better given these circumstances.
Nobody anticipated this outcome. In October 2024, AXIS had been chosen alongside another proposal, PRIMA, as the finalists for NASA’s new Probe mission program. Both projects received $5 million to develop concept studies, aiming for a launch by 2032.
Problems began at the Goddard Space Flight Center, which was managing the AXIS project. Reynolds noted that internal disruptions, including staff turnover from NASA’s Deferred Resignation Program, significantly affected the mission’s development. About 20% of the agency’s workforce exited in 2025, including key team members crucial to AXIS.
Further complicating matters, proposed budget cuts for NASA’s 2026 fiscal year caused additional setbacks. Although Congress later restored funding, access to critical engineering support was limited for months. Compounding these issues was a government shutdown that lasted over a month, which only added pressure to an already tight timeline.
Reynolds explained that the AXIS team had to submit a proposal that could not fully comply with NASA’s requirements due to these challenges. This decision left them feeling cornered: they could either submit an inadequate study or not submit at all. They chose the former, hoping discussions during the review process would clarify their compliance efforts. NASA, however, deemed this approach unacceptable.
Despite not being selected, Reynolds insisted that the technology and scientific merits of AXIS were strong. The proposal demonstrated advancements in X-ray mirror technology and showed promise that the scientific case for AXIS was more compelling than ever during their study phase.
Now, with AXIS out of the running, only PRIMA remains as a potential future mission. NASA has yet to clarify how this decision will impact the selection process moving forward. During a recent conference, Shawn Domagal-Goldman from NASA’s astrophysics division hinted that a decision could be expected by the end of the fiscal year.
The community is understandably concerned. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, which has been in operation for over 25 years, is facing its own budget struggles. Limited large mission opportunities loom ahead, particularly in X-ray astronomy. The only potential collaboration on the horizon involves NASA and the European Space Agency with the NewAthena observatory, slated for a late-2030s launch.
Domagal-Goldman reassured attendees that NASA remains dedicated to both the X-ray and far-infrared fields, promising future funding opportunities for X-ray astronomy. Reynolds, too, sees potential in smaller missions using the technology and findings from AXIS. Despite the disappointment, he expressed his support for PRIMA, wishing that team all the best as they aim for selection and eventual flight.
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