2022

Exciting things are happening in high-energy astrophysics! The 2020 Astro Decadal Survey (which came out in late 2021) specifically mentioned developing a medium-sized (“Probe-class”) X-ray or infrared telescope mission in the coming decade for launch in the 2030s, and those of us who work in the dynamic high-energy sky were already on it. I’ve been a member of the STROBE-X team since 2016 when I was a PhD student, and I’ve been a member of the steering committee since 2017! We made a promo video introducing the broader scientific community to STROBE-X for the High Energy Astrophysics Division meeting in March:

Just this month, astronomy graduate student and science writer Briley Lewis published a fantastic article about STROBE-X for a focus issue of SPIE Photonics! I had a great time messaging with her about STROBE-X and all the awesome science it could do. If you love black holes, neutron stars, NASA, and rockets, you should give it a read.

Did you know it takes decades to develop and launch a space telescope? Currently, the priorities for the STROBE-X team is to grow our community support, further developing our science case, and improve our technological readiness level. There won’t be a formal call for Probe-class mission proposals for at least 6 months, but when it comes, we’ll be ready! Meanwhile, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. #XraysAreTheBestRays

Header image: NASA GSFC/A. Simonnet