Nuclear Masses in Astrophysics for the Next 25 Years

The recent mass measurement of $^{70}$Kr using the $B\rho$-defined isochronous mass spectrometry yields a mass excess of $-41320(140)$ keV, indicating a 220-keV increase in binding energy compared to the AME2020 prediction. We utilize this experimental mass to probe its impact on the potential waiting point $^{68}$Se in $r$p-process and quantitatively constrain the $2p$-capture reaction flow that can bypass this waiting point. Our investigation shows that the more tightly bound nature of $^{70}$Kr enhances this $2p$-capture reaction flow up to a factor of four. While this enhancement reduces the effective half-life of $^{68}$Se, the nucleus remains a waiting point. The dominate uncertainty in determining the effective half-life of and reaction flow around $^{68}$Se originates from the large experimental error in the $^{70}$Kr mass. A more precise $^{70}$Kr mass measurement is highly desired.