Second ASCA AO

[DAY@HEASRC.GSFC.NASA.GOV (Charles Day, US ASCA GOF, NASA GSFC)]

            SOLICITATION FOR THE ASCA GUEST OBSERVER PROGRAM

This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits basic research proposals 
for participation in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) program for analysis of scientific data from ASCA (formerly the 
Astro-D satellite).  The ASCA mission is a cooperative X-ray astronomy 
program between the United States and Japan.  It was launched February 
20, 1993.  ["Asuka," which means "Flying Bird," is pronounced As'ka, 
which led to the pun ASCA, standing for Advanced Satellite for Cosmology 
and Astrophysics.] After the initial performance verification (PV) 
phase, which is expected to end about October 15, 1993, approximately 15 
percent of the observing time is allocated to the United States, and an 
additional 25 percent is allocated to joint Japan/U.S. investigations.

This NRA solicits proposals for observations during the U.S. and 
collaborative Japan/U.S. observing time that will begin about April 15, 
1994, and last for 6 months; following this period, further 
opportunities are expected at regular intervals.  This NRA also permits 
requests for workstations to aid the proposed scientific investigation.  
Letters of Intent to Propose are not required.

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE JAPAN/U.S. BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON ASTRO-D, ONLY 
INVESTIGATORS AFFILIATED WITH U.S. INSTITUTIONS MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS 
PROGRAM.

The intent of this program is to enhance U.S.-Japanese scientific 
cooperation, in keeping with the bilateral agreement between the U.S. 
and Japan.  Participation is open to all categories of organizations, 
including educational institutions, NASA Centers, profit and not-for-
profit organizations, and other Government agencies.  Proposals may be 
submitted at any time during the period ending February 1, 1994; those 
received after that date will be held for the next review cycle, planned 
for approximately 6 months after the present cycle.  Proposals will be 
evaluated by scientific peer-review panels and other national and 
international review committees, with a goal of announcing selection by 
April 1994.

Investigators whose proposals are selected will have proprietary use of 
their data for 12 months after receipt of the data in usable form, after 
which time the data will be made available to other interested 
investigators.

Funds for awards under this NRA are expected to be available subject to 
the annual NASA budget cycle.  The Government's obligation to make 
awards is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from 
which payment for award purposes can be made and the receipt of 
proposals which the Government determines are acceptable for award under 
this NRA.

Further details relevant to the ASCA Observer Program are included in 
the appendices, described briefly below.  Unlike some other NRA's, YOU 
MUST REQUEST ALL THE APPENDICES - either by mail, electronic mail, 
telephone, or FAX (see addresses and numbers following).

Appendices:

  A: ASCA Program Description.
  B: Guidelines for Responding to NASA Research Announcements.
  C: Additional Information Regarding Proposal Submission, Evaluation,
       Selection, and Implementation.
  D: Forms. Cover Page, General Form, Budget Form. Target Form.
  E: ASCA Technical Description.
  F: List of observations planned for the Performance Verification
       phase.

Appendix A gives an overview of the mission and describes the observing 
opportunity.  Appendix B contains general instructions for responding to 
NASA Research Announcements.  Appendix C, which supersedes and augments 
Appendix B, provides additional, mission-specific information on 
proposal submission and subsequent evaluation, selection, and 
implementation; the information in Appendix C applies to this NRA only. 
Appendix D contains forms needed to prepare proposals responding to this 
NRA.  Appendix E presents a detailed description of the mission and 
gives information on using ASCA as an astronomical observatory.  
Appendix F lists targets planned for the calibration and verification 
phase in the first 7 months following launch, plus those targets 
selected in the first review period (AO 1).  The most up-to-date version 
of Appendix F is available electronically.

Requests for the appendices should be submitted soon to receive them 
early in the proposal preparation period.  We also request your help in
correcting our mailing lists.  If your address has changed, please use 
the enclosed form to update the mailing list used by the NASA Office of 
Space Science.

  Dr. Alan N. Bunner
  Astrophysics Division
  Code SZC
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  300 E Street, S.W.
  Washington, DC 20546 USA

  Telephone: 202-358-0340; Fax 202-358-3096
  Electronic Mail: abunner@nasamail.nasa.gov

IDENTIFIER: NRA 93-OSS-08

The appendices should be obtained from the ASCA Guest Observer Facility. 
Any technical questions should also be addressed to:

  Dr. Nicholas E. White
  ASCA Guest Observer Facility
  Code 668
  Goddard Space Flight Center
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

  Telephone: 301-286-8443; Fax 301-286-1684
  Electronic mail: ascanra@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov

SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO:
  NASA HEA ASCA Program
  Ref: NRA 93-OSS-08
  Astrophysics Proposal Control Office
  9705 Patuxent Woods Drive
  Columbia, MD 21046 USA

SUBMIT PROPOSALS BY: February 1, 1994

NUMBER REQUIRED: 20 Copies of all Scientific and Cost Sections bound
  together in one document

SELECTING OFFICIAL:
  Director, Astrophysics Division
  Office of Space Science

NASA appreciates your interest and cooperation in participating
in the ASCA Guest Observer Program.

                               Wesley T. Huntress, Jr
                               Associate Administrator for Space Science