For a list of all 12 of the NASA
Small Explorer satellites and their purposes, see SkyandTelescope.com/NASASmallExplorers.
With my secondary mentor, I used a (computer-aided design) tool to iterate the design of a proposed
small explorer satellite.
NASA has reinstated the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), a
Small Explorer mission, which is now scheduled for launch in 2011.
Another factor, says
Small Explorer program manager Nickolus O.
NASA has announced five candidates for the next two
Small Explorer missions, which are scheduled for launch in 2007-8; a final decision will be made in late 2004.
Launched in early December as part of the
Small Explorer program, SWAS completed its initial calibrations in only a couple of weeks.
Another
Small Explorer is scheduled for launch in late February.
SWAS is a
Small Explorer mission and part of NASA's Origins program.
The odd mid-sized deal aside, participants say interest in gold mergers and acquisitions remains lackluster, with large players still not ready to do big deals even as their reserve life shrinks, and capital still tight for
small explorers and developers.
Repsol's exploration is proceeding without artificial deadlines from the state; however, the company is benefiting from state tax credits and other incentives just like the
small explorers.