2025 Senior Review of Operating Missions

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) periodically conducts independent, comparative reviews of its operating missions. NASA uses the findings from these reviews to define an implementation strategy and give programmatic direction to the missions and projects concerned for the next five fiscal years. 

These reviews of operating missions are NASA’s highest form of peer review, as the subject is not a single science investigation, or even a single space mission, but rather a portfolio of operating missions. The reviews of operating missions are referred to as Senior Reviews, in recognition of the high level of the peer review. 

The 2025 Senior Review included the following missions: 

Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) is not included. A planned Extra-Vehicular Activity from ISS in November 2024 will repair damage to sunshades of some X-ray concentrators, returning NICER to nearly full capacity. NICER will be reviewed once its repaired characteristics are understood. Assuming a successful repair, NICER will be invited to the 2028 Senior Review. 

The 2025 Astrophysics Senior Review will use a single panel to review all the mission proposals and provide recommendations for a balanced portfolio of both large and small missions. 

The Call for Proposals contains detailed instructions for proposal submission along with charges to the panels and Senior Review Subcommittee. 

2025 Astrophysics Senior Review - Final Call for Proposals

Appendix A – Mandatory Budget Template

FY25 Senior Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

SMD Science Plan -- SCIENCE 2020-2024: A Vision for Scientific Excellence

2021 Science Information Policy for the Science Mission Directorate (SPD-41)

2020 Decadal Survey

For information about prior Senior Reviews, please use the links below.