Astro H (NeXT)

NeXT [ISAS]

The Astro H or NeXT (New X-ray Telescope) project, is a next-generation X-ray astronomy satellite that the Japanese X-ray astronomy group is proposing to JAXA. Proposed launch time is 2013.

The NeXT mission will open a new observing window through the first imaging spectroscopy in the hard X-ray band above 10 keV. and also achieve unprecedented observing capability in the soft X-ray band below 10 keV.

NASA selected to participate on the NeXT mission as a Explorer Mission of opportunity. NASA will provide the High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS), which will probe matter in extreme environments; investigate the nature of dark matter on large scales in the universe; and explore how galaxies and clusters of galaxies form and evolve.