User:Tylarsimone/Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM)

The Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM) is a state of the art satellite designed to explore the properties of Dark energy and measure how cosmic expansion has changed over time. In theory, Dark Energy is the force pushing the universe apart at an increasing speed; JDEM's main purpose is to measure the acceleration. NASA and the Department of Energy, DOE, are joining together to create this space-based observatory which will allow scientists to study the expansion of the universe by comparing large areas of galaxies and supernova. Dark energy was first discovered by observing explosions called Type 1a supernovae. By observing Type Ia supernovae both near and far, scientists can map out their distances and the cosmic expansion. Other methods, such as gravitational weak lensing and baryon acoustic oscillations, measure the shapes and clustering pattern of distant galaxies and search for the imprint of the cosmic acceleration in their distribution and evolution. The satellite is expected to launch no earlier than 2017.

History
In August 2010, the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Science Foundation recommended that JDEM, originally called theWFIRST mission, replace SNAP, Destiny, and ADEPT as the highest priority mission to study the effects of Dark Energy.

When complete, JDEM willfunction as an observatory containing a telescope and appropriate focal plane instruments. NASA will retain responsibility and authority for ensuring the successful development of the mission within the guidelines set by the joint oversight group (The Board made up of NASA and DOE members).

Plans
The plan is endorsed by the NASA Office of Space Science and the DOE Office of Science and is now presented to the community for discussion.

The first years of the mission will be dedicated to studying Dark Energy. Some of the missions would probe dark energy by studying the exploding stars known as Type 1a supernovae. Each mission also will use a second technique to test dark energy, either gravitational lensing or baryon acoustic oscillations. Both techniques look at the way galaxies are distributed through the cosmos as probes of the effects of dark energy. The remainder of the mission will be used for general astronomical observations (photos of planets, stars, galaxies, etc) to be selected by popular vote. All data will be archived in an established astrophysics data archive and will be made public after an appropriate proprietary data period.

The mission will use large Charge-coupled device, like the chips that are used in digital cameras and cellphones, to examine large areas of the sky. The cameras will be sensitive to infrared light. The expansion of the universe has stretched the light of many early galaxies to infrared wavelengths, so the space-based telescopes will be able to detect many galaxies that are hidden from ground-based instruments.

Funding
The project is expected to have a total lifetime cost of about $600 million, not including the cost of launching. The DOE will contribute around $200 million to JDEM.

NASA will fund activities such as project management, prime contracting, and launch services while DOE and NASA will fund the Dark Energy science investigation. The investigation will include the development of the science payload, obtaining and analyzing the required data, and communicating the results to the science community through publications in peer reviewed science literature. NASA will also continue funding an existing data archive to hold JDEM data.

Schedule
Year 1: Conduct mission concept studies; Pre-conceptual planning

Year 2: NASA in-house mission concept definition study; Conceptual Design

Year 3: Investigation selection

Year 4-5: Select prime contractor

Year 6-10: Confirmation; Final Design; Construction

Year 11-13: Launch; Dark Energy Phase

Year 14-16: General astronomical observing phase

Year 15: End of Mission