Are we alone in the universe? The search for life beyond Earth just got a major boost with the latest update on the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Cycle 9 proposals. But here's where it gets exciting: NASA is calling on scientists to submit their boldest ideas for exploring new worlds and analyzing data from TESS's upcoming mission phase, spanning from September 7, 2026, to September 19, 2027. This isn't just about staring at the stars—it's about uncovering the secrets of exoplanets and their potential to harbor life.
The ROSES-25 Amendment 33 (D.3D TESS General Investigator Program) is now open for business, inviting researchers to propose projects that leverage TESS data from Cycle 9, starting with Sector 108 and ending with Sector 121. And this is the part most people miss: Proposals can also include ground-based telescope observations, as long as they directly support the interpretation of TESS data—whether from Cycle 9 or the mission's extensive archive. This dual approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the exoplanets TESS discovers.
Here’s the timeline you need to know: The Phase-1 proposals are due by March 10, 2026, submitted via ARK/RPS. This deadline, previously uncertain, is now set in stone thanks to Amendment 33. Mark your calendars, because the amendment will be officially posted on December 22, 2025, on the NASA research opportunity homepage (https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025) and SARA’s ROSES blog (https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025/).
Controversial question: With TESS’s data becoming increasingly accessible, will this democratization of exoplanet research lead to groundbreaking discoveries—or will the flood of information overwhelm the scientific community? Weigh in below!
For those with burning questions, reach out to the experts: John Wisniewski (emailprotected) and Joshua Pepper (emailprotected). Whether you're a seasoned astrobiologist or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to contribute to humanity’s quest to answer one of the biggest questions of all: Are we alone?
Follow the journey on Twitter (https://twitter.com/keithcowing) and stay tuned as TESS continues to push the boundaries of what we know about the cosmos. 🖖🏻
