Everything but Exoplanets: The Transformative General Astrophysics of the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Monday, June 15th, 10:00am -11:30am PT
This is your reminder to join the Cosmic Origins community members as they present their science and talk about relevant topics of interest across the astrophysics landscape!
For Cosmic Origins at AAS, please visit the link below.
Special Session: Everything but Exoplanets: The Transformative General Astrophysics of the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Monday, June 15th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET, 10:00am -11:30am PT
Highlights from Cosmic Origins Science Interest Groups (SIGs) and Science Analysis Groups (SAGs).
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:20am ‑ 10:30am
Spatially Resolved UV Spectroscopy Science Analysis Group in Support of HWO
Emily Witt (JHU)
10:30am ‑ 10:40am
Investigating the NIR Discovery Space of the Habitable Worlds Observatory: Updates from the Red Limit Science Analysis Group
Kyle Cooke (University of Louisville)
10:40am ‑ 10:50am
Opening the OVI Window to Reveal the Diffuse Cosmic Ecosystem with HWO
Sanchayeeta Borthakur (Arizona State University)
11:00am ‑ 11:10am
HWO Science Interest Group: Keeping the Community Connected to HWO
Jessie Christiansen (Caltech/IPAC)
Splinter Session: NASA’s Big Science, Small Missions
Tuesday, June 16th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET, 10:00am -11:30am PT (Hybrid Session)
For remote participation, please look for the “Join the Session” link above the agenda on the Cosmic Origins at AAS website.
High-impact science. Smarter, faster, together.
Agenda
Organizers: Swara Ravindranath (NASA/GSFC), Emily Witt (JHU)
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:00am ‑ 10:05am
Welcome
Swara Ravindranath (NASA/GSFC)
10:05am ‑ 10:15am
FORTIS Sounding Rocket
Emily Witt (JHU)
10:15am ‑ 10:25am
BlackCAT CubeSat
Abe Falcone (Pennsylvania State University)
10:25am ‑ 10:35am
SunRISE CubeSat Constellation
Joseph Lazio (University of Michigan)
10:35am ‑ 10:45am
SPHEREx Medium Explorer Mission
Roberta Paladini (IPAC/Caltech)
10:45am ‑ 10:55am
Landolt Pioneer Mission
Peter Kurczynski (NASA/GSFC)
10:55am ‑ 11:05am
Non-Traditional Path to Missions
Sanchayeeta Borthakur (Arizona State University)
11:05am ‑ 11:10am
BREAK
11:10am ‑ 11:30am
Panel Discussion
Swara Ravindranath (NASA/GSFC, moderator) Panelists: Drew Miles (Caltech), Pablo Saz Parkinson (NASA HQ), Joseph Lazio (University of Michigan), Abe Falcone (Pennsylvania State University), David Ardila (JPL)
Special Session: Planning for the Future of Astrophysics and the ASTRA Initiative
Thursday, June 18th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET, 10:00am -11:30am PT
No remote participation is available for this special session.
Agenda
Time
Topic
Speaker
10:00am ‑ 10:10am
Introduction from the NASA Astrophysics Division Director
Shawn Domagal‑Goldman (NASA HQ)
10:10am ‑ 10:25am
The ASTRA Initiative: Overview& Path Forward
Jessica Gaskin (NASA HQ)
10:25am ‑ 10:40am
Innovation for Astrophysics Workshop: Initial Findings
Kendra Short (JPL)
10:40am ‑ 10:55am
Ad ASTRA Community Science Workshop
Peter Kurczynski (NASA/GSFC)
10:55am ‑ 11:30am
Panel Discussion
Francesca Civano (NASA/GSFC)
ASTRA Office Hours at Cosmic Origins Exhibit Booth
(June 15 – 17, 2026) at 9am PT
Stop by the AAS / Cosmic Origins Exhibit booth during these times to ask questions about the ASTRA initiative, the September Ad ASTRA workshop, and developing new strategic mission concepts for astrophysics. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9 am PT (Peter Kurczynski)
Best regards, Swara Ravindranath
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.
Habitable Worlds Observatory Detector System Development Study Request for Proposals
12 June 2026
Due by July 7th, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
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 here: https://columbususa.com/opportunities/hwo-detector-rfp/
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).
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.
Announcement of Opportunity Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX) Final Text Released
12 June 2026
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) announces the release of an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to solicit Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations for the Small Explorer (SMEX) opportunity under the Astrophysics Explorers Program. The SMD strategic goal of expanding human knowledge through new scientific discoveries in astrophysics includes the broad objective: “to understand the Sun, Earth, Solar System, and Universe.” SMD addresses this objective through astrophysics investigations that address one or more of these science goals:
How does the Universe work? Probe the origin and destiny of our universe, including the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter and gravity.
How did we get here? Explore the origin and evolution of the galaxies, stars, and planets that make up our universe.
Are we alone? Discover and study planets around other stars and explore whether they could harbor life.
The 2026 Astrophysics SMEX (APSMEX26) Schedule:
AO Release Date: June 9, 2026
Preproposal Conference Date: June 30, 2026
Mandatory Notice of Intent Due Date: July 21, 2026
Proposal Due Date: September 9, 2026
The NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) is the official source for the full text of the Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 SMEX AO. To find the full, final text visit https://go.nasa.gov/APSMEX26. Alternatively, visit: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/, select ‘Solicitations’ at the top of the page, and on the next page enter solicitation number NNH26ZDA011O in the search field.
Prospective investigators from any category of organizations or institutions, U.S. or non-U.S. with some restrictions as specified in Section 4.2.1 of the AO, are welcome. Specific categories of organizations and institutions include, but are not limited to, educational, industrial, and not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, and other Government agencies. Both U.S. and non-U.S. participation is subject to China restrictions described in Sections 4.2.2 and 5.8.1 of the AO.
All interested parties must read the final APSMEX26 AO carefully for significant changes from the draft AO (NNH25ZDA008J) and prior years’ SMD Explorers Program AOs. Of particular importance is the change in evaluation and selection to a single-step competitive process. NASA intends to select one investigation proposal from the APSMEX26 responses to proceed into a combined Phase A&B. All proposals must comply with the requirements, constraints, and guidelines contained within the AO.
The Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) will post the virtual Preproposal Conference agenda, connection information, and related information at: https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX26/SMEX. SOMA hosts the official “2026 Astrophysics Small Explorer (SMEX)” website that provides further information, including the SMEX Program Library and SMEX Question & Answer (Q&A) page. Anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved. Proposers are encouraged to send comments and questions early so that they may be fully addressed. Questions posed at least one week before the Pre-Proposal Conference may be addressed in the Pre-Proposal Conference presentation or on the SMEXQ&A page. The deadline for other questions is two (2) weeks before the proposal due date.
All questions or comments about the Astrophysics SMEX 2026 AO shall be addressed via email to Daniel Moses, APSMEX26 Lead Program Scientist, dan.moses@nasa.gov; Hannah JangCondell, APSMEX26 Deputy Program Scientist, hannah.jang-condell@nasa.gov; and Omar Torres, Lead Acquisition Manager for the 2026 Astrophysics SMEX AO, SOMA omar.torres@nasa.gov using subject line “APSMEX26” to be properly routed.
Any costs incurred in preparing a submission in response to this notice or the full APSMEX26 AO are solely the responsibility of the submitter.
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.
The ASTRA initiative (linked below) will promote new strategic mission concepts for astrophysics. We would like to encourage you to think about new strategic mission concepts for the coming decades of astrophysics. Please join us for a community webinar next Wednesday, June 10, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET ( 9:00 – 10:00 am PT) where we will discuss ASTRA.
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 (linked below). There are also instructions for submission. Submitted concept ideas will be discussed at the September workshop.
The IRSTIG will host a community brainstorming session from 1-3pm ET / 10am – 12pm PT. We understand this is short notice, however given the rapidly approaching ASTRA workshop abstract deadline (June 24th) and ASTRA mission concept template submission deadline (June 26th), we feel that this coming Friday is our best opportunity to rally the IR community. As such, we will be holding an open-invite brainstorming session to help energize and organize the community. This will be a rather freeform meeting to allow for flexibility, but a rough schedule is as follows:
We will begin at 1pm ET/ 10am PT with a brief introduction to the ASTRA initiative and our charge in developing concepts from Peter Kurczynski, Chief Scientist of the NASA Cosmic Origins Program Office.
Following this, we will open the floor to any member of the community to present a 3 slide / 2min pitch of a mission pre-concept (i.e. does not have to be a fully formed idea). This could look like one or more interesting science questions that you are looking for collaborators to help build into a well-founded mission concept, to a cutting edge technology that could be infused into or enable a future IR mission and you’d like science investigators to help develop, to a concept that has been already submitted to a competitive mission selection process. The goal here is to bring the community together and encourage a breadth of ideas so that community members may figure out where they can contribute and participate in the ASTRA process.
Following these pitches, we would open the floor for a discussion of the recurrent and over-arching science theme drivers that motivate cosmic origins mission development, distilling the outcome into broad topical/mission bins.
In the last ~hour, we will enable breakout rooms around these topics so that community members can self-organize. The goal here is to form small teams that will eventually complete and submit an ASTRA initiative mission concept template found here.
Meeting connection information will be provided prior to Friday. Please feel free to share amongst your colleagues and students, our community benefits from a diversity of ideas. We hope to see you there!
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.
12 June 2026 12:00pm-1:00pm ET / 9:00am-10:00am PT
Community
Cosmic Origins
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.
Pasadena Convention Center – Conference Center, 204
Summary
The opportunity to conduct focused science programs with small missions has increased as access to space becomes easier and more cost effective. This expansion opens the door to greater community participation in space missions, including by early-career scientists and those who may not have prior experience in building and designing such missions. This session seeks to bring together experts from the suborbital and low cost access to space community to hare their mission design process and experience launching missions for dedicated science.
As we approach the Astro2030 decadal survey it is timely to start discussions on innovative ways to perform science observations cheaper and faster by leveraging commercial capabilities for missions of all sizes.
Panel Moderator: Swara Ravindranath (NASA GSFC) Drew Miles (Caltech) Pablo Saz Parkinson (NASA HQ) Joseph Lazio (University of Michigan) Abe Falcone (Pennsylvania State University) David Ardila (JPL)
Cosmic Origins Science in the New Landscape of Space Astrophysics
Speaker
Swara Ravindranath, Deputy Chief Scientist of NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program (NASA GSFC)
Abstract
Cosmic Origins Science covers a broad range of topics that are fundamental to our understanding of the evolution of structure in the Universe and the physical processes that can explain the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets that we observe today. The various space telescopes that operate across the electromagnetic spectrum have been crucial to address some of the most fundamental questions related to our cosmic origins. The landscape of Space Astronomy is evolving fast with innovative technology, industry partnerships, and new commercial launch capabilities. In this talk, I will review the Cosmic Origins Program and discuss the new opportunities that offer strategic pathways for focused-science missions.
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
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