X-rays top space agenda

摘要

An X-ray space telescope has taken pole position ahead of a gravitational-wave observatory in the race to be Europe's next major space-science mission.On 31 October, European Space Agency (ESA) director of science and robotic exploration, Alvaro Gimenez, put forward the "hot and energetic Universe" and the "gravitational Universe" as the two themes that will shape the agency's next large (L-class) projects -the €1-billion (US$1.4-billion) L2 and L3 missions, scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2034, respectively. ESA's Science Programme Committee, composed of member-state representatives, will consider the recommendation and announce a decision at a meeting on 28-29 November. It would be rare for the committee not to endorse the science director's advice.