NASA Has Opened NuSTAR Cycle 13 Proposal Window
The agency is inviting researchers to submit proposals for over 8 million seconds of high-energy X-ray observation time.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Space
NASA has officially released its second solicitation for the NuSTAR General Observer program via ROSES-25 Amendment 76. This opportunity invites researchers to compete for time on the space telescope during its upcoming 13th cycle.
Why it matters
This solicitation supports fundamental high-energy astrophysics research by granting the scientific community direct access to NuSTAR's orbital observational capabilities. It ensures the ongoing utility of the telescope for studying black holes and supernova remnants.
The program provides a total of 11.7 Ms of observation time for Cycle 13, with 8.5 Ms dedicated to successful proposers. This 12-month mission cycle allows for prolonged data collection cycles across a mission duration that has significantly surpassed its baseline requirements.
The players
NASA
The United States federal agency responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration missions.
The details
The NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) mission utilizes a specialized grazing-incidence optics system to focus high-energy X-rays, which are notoriously difficult to capture because they pass through traditional mirrors. Researchers must submit their science cases through the ARK RPS (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) portal to be considered for this observation time. The program requirements are detailed in Section 11 of the D.3 Combined General Investigator General Observer Program document.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: ROSES-25 Amendment 76 was released.
January 28, 2027: The Phase-1 proposal deadline for the program.
June 1, 2027: NuSTAR Cycle 13 is scheduled to begin for a nominal 12-month period.
The Tech Race
This solicitation follows the standardized cadence of the NASA ROSES-25 framework, which dictates the cycle of scientific research across agency missions. It maintains the competitive trajectory of high-energy space observation by ensuring the telescope remains focused on peer-reviewed, high-impact targets.
This program directly affects astrophysicists and research institutions that rely on NuSTAR data to conduct studies on high-energy celestial phenomena. The selection process dictates which research teams will receive dedicated orbital observation time starting in mid-2027.
The takeaway
The NuSTAR mission continues to provide critical X-ray data through its established General Observer program. Interested researchers should prepare their submissions for the January 28, 2027 deadline to participate in the upcoming 12-month cycle.
What happens next
Proposals for the 13th cycle of the NuSTAR mission are due by January 28, 2027, followed by the commencement of the observation cycle on or about June 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing orbital research initiatives, explore the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Science @ NASA.
