The origins and fate of massive compact objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs can only be fully answered by measuring deci-Hertz (dHz) gravitational wave emission. A plethora of innovative mission concepts have been proposed motivated by this need, promising incredible potential sensitivity and requiring substantial technical development. Like COBE rather than Plank, we optimize time to first knowledge over ultimate sensitivity. We describe the highest priority science goals contained in and motivating a dHz observatory, the minimum sensitivity required to make these observations, and the fastest, least-costly mission that meets these minimum requirements. We dub this mission the Deci-hertz Interferometer Space Antenna (DISA).
Dear Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) community members-
As we prepare for our Ad ASTRA Community Science workshop, we are writing to share important updates regarding the agenda structure and instructions for abstract submissions.
The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division to engage the community in identifying future large, strategic astrophysics missions. Structured over three thematic days—Science, Capabilities and Implementation, and Community Discussion—the workshop provides a comprehensive framework to connect scientific priorities with technological readiness and mission implementation. Across all three days, plenaries, panels, breakout sessions, and poster contributions are designed to maximize community interactions and discussion. The outcomes of the workshop will help NASA prioritize mission concepts and shape a balanced, forward-looking astrophysics portfolio that is consistent with the Astro2020 recommendations and existing and future science gaps.
To best serve the community and facilitate meaningful collaboration, we are splitting the mission concept presentations into two distinct focuses: Science on Day 1, and Capabilities and Implementation on Day 2. We are relying on you—the concept teams and the broader community—to submit abstracts for both days. We are also offering the option to present mission concepts as posters, and will offer the opportunity to present as posters any abstracts for which there is insufficient room in the parallel sessions.
Please review the detailed agenda structure and submission guidelines below:
Day 1: Science Focus
Science Questions: Day 1 will focus on open science priorities and questions from strategic documents (Astro 2020 Decadal Survey, Enduring Quests – Daring Visions from 2014) and more recent science questions that the mission concepts submitted to ASTRA will address.
Abstract Submission: Presentations for Day 1 are not restricted to mission concept team members. We strongly encourage other scientists in the community to submit abstracts presenting important science questions and to use this opportunity to connect with concept teams.
Breakout Sessions: These sessions will be organized by science themes (Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena, Cosmology, Galaxies, Exoplanets & Astrobiology, Stars and Stellar Populations). Moderators will present a summary of the panel discussions at the end of Day 1.
Day 2: Mission Concepts – Capabilities and Implementation
Focus: Day 2 is focused on implementation, capabilities, and technologies (software and hardware) relevant to the ASTRA submitted mission concepts. A summary of the Innovation for Astrophysics Missions Workshop (May 2026) will inform discussions regarding industry and other capabilities and opportunities that may be leveraged.
Breakout Sessions: These sessions will be organized by capability groups, which will be determined once the submitted mission concept documents are reviewed.
Format & Goals: Breakout sessions will feature a mix of presentations and flexible discussion. The goal is for teams with concepts at varying maturity levels to collaborate, find commonalities, and strengthen their respective capability groups.
Abstract Submission Note: Teams may submit multiple abstracts for these sessions if their concept spans different capabilities (e.g., requiring both UV and X-ray technologies).
Day 3 & Workshop Outcome
A primary goal of this workshop is to refine a draft “science-to-capabilities” matrix, which will be built using inputs from your submitted ASTRA mission concept documents. During the Day 1 and 2 breakout sessions, moderators will capture key discussion points to present during end-of-day summary panels. On Day 3 of the workshop, we will hold a plenary discussion to recap the week and collaboratively revise the “science-to-capabilities” matrix. Together as a community, we will add, refine, and prioritize science questions, mapping them to mission concepts.
Key Upcoming Dates:
24 June 2026: Abstract submission deadline (link). If you have already submitted an abstract and would like to modify it based on the guidelines above, please delete your previous contribution and send another submission.
10 June 2026 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET 9:00am – 10:00am PT
Community
Cosmic Origins
Type
Seminar
The ASTRA Initiative
Speaker
Jessica Gaskin
The ASTRA initiative will promote new strategic mission concepts for astrophysics, see here. We would like to encourage you to think about new strategic mission concepts for the coming decades of astrophysics.
As part of ASTRA, the Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop will take place 1-3 September 2026 in Pasadena. New concept ideas will be discussed at this event.
To join the ASTRA initiative, mission concept template is now available, see here. There are also instructions for submission. Submitted concept ideas will be discussed at the September workshop.
The Future Large Gamma-ray Mission Concepts working group will hold a hybrid work session to review progress and needed inputs for a technical report on gamma-ray instrumentation. Working group members will present updates and lead discussions to complete gathering of input on gamma-ray capabilities, mission concepts, and technologies. The group will work on identifying and filling gaps in the draft and refining the content of the report.
Pasadena Convention Center ‑ Conference Center, 204
American Astronomical Society
The 248th Meeting of the AAS
The 248th AAS meeting (joint with the High Energy Astrophysics and the Laboratory Astrophysics Divisions) will be held 14-18 June 2026 in Pasadena, California.
NASA Astrophysics is developing the Fornax Initiative, a cloud-based system that brings together data, software, and computing so that researchers can focus on science.
This webinar will be on the ASTRA initiative, as the deadline for white paper submissions approaches (June 26th). We will present some brief updates about the process and the September Ad ASTRA workshop, as well as hear brief presentations about the science impact of the planned white paper submissions.
The Symposium will take place on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Maryland, USA.
Location
College Park, Maryland
Dates
21-26 June 2026
Community
Physics of the Cosmos
Type
Symposium
About the LISA Symposium
A Biennial Gathering of Researchers Working on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna and the Gravitational Wave Science It Will Enable
First held in 1996, the International LISA Symposium is held every two years to celebrate and share information and science related to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna mission.
The 16th International LISA Symposium will highlight gravitational wave astrophysics, with a primary focus on the most up-to-date mission development, theory and analysis enabling the science to be performed with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.
The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division to engage the community in defining future large, strategic astrophysics missions. Structured over three thematic days—Science, Capabilities, and Missions—the workshop provides a comprehensive framework to connect scientific priorities with technological readiness and mission implementation. Across all three days, plenaries, panels, breakout sessions, and poster contributions are designed to maximize community input. The outcomes of the workshop will help NASA prioritize mission concepts and shape a balanced, forward-looking astrophysics portfolio.
This workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Program Offices in partnership with the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC).
Important Dates:
Registration opens: March 31, 2026
Abstract deadline: June 24, 2026
Contributed talks/posters selection: July 1, 2026
Deadline for in-person registration: August 15, 2026
Deadline for virtual registration: August 31, 2026
Plan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 2 focus)
EC PAG Chairs
9:10am
Innovation Workshop Summary
Innovation Workshop SOC speaker
9:50am
NASA Strategic Technology Gaps
Chief Technologist from PAGs
10:10am
Morning Break
10:40am
Emerging Technologies (session)
Presentations from community/industry members (TBA)
12:30pm
Lunch
Afternoon
2:00pm
Astrophysics Technology: Capabilities Needed
Parallel Breakout Sessions: What are the capabilities needed (software and hardware, platform, location) relevant to the ASTRA submitted mission concepts?
-Breakout categories TBD
Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
4:00pm
Afternoon Break
4:45pm
Synthesis panel to summarize the breakout sessions on capabilities
HWO Detector System Development Study; Responses Due 7 July 2026
8 June 2026
The Habitable Worlds Observatory Technology Maturation Project Office and Columbus Technologies are excited to invite you to participate in a Detector System Development Study focused on developing critical detector technologies for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. This request for proposals seeks information from qualified organizations capable of supporting detector technology maturation studies to advance candidate technologies toward Technology Readiness Level 5. Specifically, we are seeking responses to address one or more of the following detectors categories: photon-counting detectors for visible and near-infrared coronagraph applications, far-ultraviolet detectors, and large-format detectors for near-ultraviolet and visible applications. Details regarding the call for proposals, eligibility, required deliverables, and study phases are available at the Columbus Technologies website.
Respondents located at Government agencies including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or NASA Centers (e.g., Goddard Space Flight Center, Ames Research Center, etc.) should submit their responses directly to Daniel Kelly (daniel.p.kelly@nasa.gov).
NASA-DARES Draft Strategy Open for Public Comment; Comments Due 2 July 2026
8 June 2026
The NASA Astrobiology Program and DARES Task Force 2 are pleased to announce the opening of the public comment period for the draft Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (NASA-DARES).
The draft report, available in slide form, is available here: NASA-DARES Draft [PDF] . NB: Findings from Focus Area 9: Astrobiology in Society are forthcoming.
An abbreviated summary, presented at AbSciCon, is available for viewing here: NASA-DARES Presentation Video. The NASA-DARES presentation begins at approximately 38:27 in the recording.
Feedback on the draft Strategy should be submitted according to the following guidelines:
As relevant, please indicate the Focus Area(s) addressed by your comment at the beginning of your response.
Comments may be submitted by an individual or on behalf of a community group, organization, or other collective body.
Anonymous submissions will not be considered.
Comments will only be accepted as attached PDF files or as in-line email text.
Comments must be received no later than 11:59p Eastern on 2 July 2026. Comments received after this deadline will not be considered.
As a reminder, NASA-DARES is a non-consensus document. NASA-DARES is not intended to rank priorities, prescribe funding decisions, direct mission selections, establish policy, or replace decadal surveys or other consensus reports. The report is intended to capture a broad range of topics relevant to NASA Astrobiology. Inclusion in NASA-DARES should not be interpreted as an indication of future funding, programmatic priority, mission implementation, or agency commitment.
For inquiries related to this public comment period, please send an email to HQ-RFIastrobio@mail.nasa.gov addressed to Drs. Rachel L. Harris, Hannah Jang-Condell, and Becky McCauley Rench. Kindly use the subject line “Question RE: NASA-DARES Public Comment Period” when submitting your questions.
IXPE Cycle 4 Pre-Proposal Workshop Announcement; Register by 25 June 2026
8 June 2026
We are pleased to send out this first announcement for a pre-proposal workshop in preparation for Cycle 4 of the IXPE General Observer (GO) program.
IXPE (the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) provides unique and powerful X-ray polarization capabilities and has been providing crucial insights into our understanding of X-ray production and the geometry of multiple classes of objects such as neutron stars and pulsar wind nebulae, as well as stellar and supermassive black holes, among others. Overall, IXPE provides simultaneous imaging, spectral, timing, and polarization data for 2-8 keV X-rays.
The workshop will be held virtually on Tuesday 30 June 2026, from 12 noon to 3p Eastern (9a to 12 noon Pacific). This session is presented to update the community on opportunities to propose for the upcoming Cycle 4 IXPE GO program, highlighting any changes from previous cycles. A description of the IXPE mission and a summary of its major scientific achievements will be presented. Opportunities for participation through the General Observer Program, which supports a broad range of opportunities, will be described in detail in an interactive forum. Presentations on user support services, data analysis and software tools, catalogs and other online resources will also be included, followed by ample time for general questions and discussion. More information can be found on the GO program website.
Registration is open to everyone. The meeting link will be sent via e-mail a day before the start of the meeting to all registered participants. There is no fee to participate in the workshop. Please register on or before 25 June 2026 to receive the link. To receive the link for the workshop, please register your interest by filling out this Google form.
HELIOTECH and Orbital Flight Symposium; Abstracts Due 17 June 2026
8 June 2026
We are thrilled to let you know that both registration and abstract submission are officially open for NASA’s 2026 Joint HELIOTECH and Orbital Flight Symposium! By bringing together NASA’s Heliophysics Technology Symposium and Heliophysics Orbital Flight Missions, this joint meeting aims to spark innovation and foster essential collaboration for advancing technology needed to explore not only the Sun-Earth-Moon system but also Mars and destinations beyond. Our intention is to create an engaging forum where technologists, scientists, and mission Principal Investigators (PIs) can connect, share, and collaborate.
Format: Hybrid—join us in person or virtually via Zoom
Call for Abstracts: Abstract submission is now open and will close on 17 June 2026. If you’re interested in presenting, please submit your abstract using the link below. Abstracts should be a maximum of 2,000 characters and entered directly into the submission Google form. Be sure to specify your preferred presentation type: oral (in-person preferred or remote) or poster (in-person only).
Registration: Registration for the symposium is now open as well, through the symposium website! We encourage everyone to register early, whether you’re attending on-site or virtually.
For additional information about the agenda, lodging, and ongoing updates, please visit our symposium website. We look forward to your participation and contributions and hope to see everyone for an exciting and impactful event!
Astrophysical sources have already been detected in gravitational waves, in the tens to hundreds of Hertz range with LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA, and in the few to tens of nanohertz range with pulsar timing arrays. New sources and physics will also be available with the planned LISA mission, at millihertz frequencies. Here I will talk about the remarkable prospects for physics and astrophysics in the decihertz range, including multimessenger science, essential information about stellar-mass and intermediate-mass black holes, tests of general relativity, and the possibility of a primordial background of gravitational waves.
Discussion of the white paper GR SIG plans to submit in response to the ASTRA initiative, as well as the endorsement of and feedback on this white paper by the community.
12 June 2026 12:00pm-1:00pm ET / 9:00am-10:00am PT
Community
Physics of the Cosmos
TYpe
Seminar
Ground- and Space-Based Astronomy in the 2030s/2040s
Speaker
Rob Petre, NASA / GSFC
Abstract
The three Astrophysics Program Analysis Groups (PAGs) – the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group (COPAG), the Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG), and the Physics of the Cosmos Program Analysis Group (PhysPAG) – have been asked to jointly report up to six community prioritized mission concepts, in addition to the X-ray and Far-IR flagship mission concepts recommended by Astro2020, to the NASA Astrophysics Division Director, for consideration for entrance into the ASTRA Initiative. These concepts should be selected in the context of the current and planned international suite of ground- and space-based observatories. In this talk we present results adapted from one of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Community Working Groups, in which we lay out the context of ground- and space-based observatories and missions expected to operate in the 2030s/40s. We summarize outputs from our community-driven mission database, which outlines the science goals and capabilities of observatories and missions expected to operate during that time period. This information enables identification of synergies between these planned facilities and potential new concepts, as well as capability gaps in the planned suite of observatories that could be filled by entrants to the ASTRA Initiative.
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