What's Happening?
NASA has announced the solicitation of proposals for the acquisition and analysis of new scientific data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. This call is part of the ROSES-25 opportunity, specifically the D3.D TESS General Investigator
(GI) Program. The proposals are expected to focus on data from TESS's Cycle 9, which spans from September 2026 to September 2027. Additionally, proposals that involve ground-based telescopes supporting TESS data analysis are also encouraged. The final text for the TESS GI has been released, and the deadline for Phase-1 proposals is set for March 10, 2026. This initiative is part of NASA's broader effort to enhance scientific understanding through the analysis of exoplanetary data.
Why It's Important?
The solicitation for TESS data analysis proposals is significant as it continues to advance the study of exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system. By encouraging the scientific community to engage with TESS data, NASA aims to deepen our understanding of planetary systems and potentially identify Earth-like planets. This initiative not only supports scientific discovery but also fosters collaboration between NASA and researchers worldwide. The insights gained from this data could have profound implications for our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.
What's Next?
Following the proposal submission deadline in March 2026, NASA will review the submissions and select projects that align with its scientific goals. Successful proposals will receive support for data acquisition and analysis, contributing to the ongoing exploration of exoplanets. Researchers will likely begin their analyses shortly after selection, with findings expected to emerge over the following years. The results could influence future missions and the development of new technologies for space exploration.
