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).

Note: Responses are due by 7 July 2026.

The post HWO Detector System Development Study appeared first on NASA Science.

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: 

• Email comments to HQ-RFIastrobio@mail.nasa.gov with the subject line “NASA-DARES Public Comment”.  
• 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.

The post NASA-DARES Draft Strategy Open for Public Comment appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

The post IXPE Cycle 4 Pre-Proposal Workshop Announcement appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

Event Details:

• Dates: 31 August – 4 September 2026
• Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland
• 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! 

The post HELIOTECH and Orbital Flight Symposium appeared first on NASA Science.

Please note also the following upcoming activities relevant to the Program Analysis Groups:

Monday 15 June at 1p Eastern (10a Pacific)

• Future Large Gamma-Ray Mission Concepts Science Analysis Group (FLAG SAG): hybrid AAS splinter session.

Wednesday 17 June at 1p Eastern (10a Pacific)

• Gravitational Wave Science Interest Group (GW SIG) seminar: The Deci-hertz Interferometer Space Antenna – Jake Slutsky (NASA GSFC)

Wednesday 17 June at 2p Eastern (11a Pacific)

• Cosmic Ray and Neutrino Science Interest Group (CRN SIG): Discussion on ASTRA Whitepapers

The post Upcoming SIG and SAG Activities, 15 June – 17 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post Cosmic Origins Seminar, 10 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

Agenda

HWO SIG Host: Jessie Christiansen

Topic	Speaker
HWO Events at the AAS	Rob Zellem / Raissa Estrella
CSIT Update	Scott Gaudi
Where HWO Fits into ASTRA / the Astro2030 Decadal	Jessica Gaskin
Pre-Proposal Instrument Study Meeting Report Out	Aki Roberge

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post HWO SIG Seminar, 10 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post ASTRA Initiative Seminar, June 12, 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

The 248th AAS meeting (joint with HEAD and Laboratory Astrophysics Divisions) will be held 14-18 June in Pasadena, California.

• Sign up for our news email list
• Check out what opportunities are available with NASA
• Follow along for breaking news releases this week

Join us in the exhibit hall at the NASA booth and attend the NASA session

All times Pacific

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Time	Event	Location
10:00am ‑ 11:30am	NASA’s Big Science, Small Missions	Pasadena Convention Center – Conference Center, 204

NASA’s Big Science, Small Missions Session Agenda

Join the Session

Time	Topic	Speaker
10:00am ‑ 10:05am	Welcome	Swara Ravindranath (NASA GSFC)
10:05am ‑ 10:15am	FORTIS Sounding Rocket	Emily Witt (Johns Hopkins University)
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	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)

Thursday, 18 June 2026

Time	Session	Location
10:00am ‑ 11:30am	Special Session: Planning for the Future of Astrophysics and the ASTRA Initiative	Pasadena Convention Center ‑  Ballroom G

ASTRA Initiative Special Session

Time	Topic	Speaker	Presentation
10:00am ‑ 10:10am	Introduction from the NASA Astrophysics Division Director	Shawn Domagal‑Goldman
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

Other Cosmic Origins Related Sessions

Day	Session Title	Time	Locations
Monday, 15 June	Everything but Exoplanets: The Transformative General Astrophysics of the Habitable Worlds Observatory	10:00am ‑ 11:30am	Ballroom G
	Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope	12:45pm ‑ 1:45pm	Ballroom A (Town Hall)
	NASA Update	12:45pm ‑ 1:45pm	Ballroom DE (Town Hall)
	The PRobe Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA)	2:00pm – 3:30pm	Ballroom G
Wednesday, 17 June	The NASA Astrophysics ROSES Program	11:00am ‑ 12:00pm	Splinter 204
	NASA Infrared Telescope Facility – The Next Decade	12:45pm ‑ 1:45pm	Town Hall Ballroom F

The post Cosmic Origins at AAS 248, June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post DGCE SIG Seminar, 25 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

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

Session Connection: Join the Session

Day 1 Science

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
8:30am	Introduction to ASTRA	Shawn Domagal-Goldman, APD Director
9:00am	Plan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 1 focus)	Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development
9:20am	How did we get here: PhysPAG	Manel Errando, PhysPAG EC chair
9:40am	How did we get here: COPAG	Shouleh Nikzad, COPAG EC Chair
10:00am	How did we get here: EXOPAG	Ian Crossfield, ExoPAG EC Chair
10:20am	Morning Break
11:00am	Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond Parallel Breakout Sessions: -Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena -Cosmology -Galaxies -Exoplanets & Astrobiology -Stars and Stellar Populations	Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
12:30pm	Lunch
	Afternoon
2:00pm	Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond Parallel Breakout Sessions: -Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena -Cosmology -Galaxies -Exoplanets & Astrobiology -Stars and Stellar Populations	Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
3:30pm	Afternoon Break
4:00pm	Synthesis Panel on Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond	Breakout Session Moderators
5:00pm	Evening Reception
7:00pm	End of Day 1

Day 2 Capabilities

Session Connection: Join the Session

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
9:00am	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	Breakout Session Moderators
5:45pm	End of Day 2

Day 3 Wrap UP

Session Connection: Join the Session

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
9:00am	Plan for the workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 3 focus)	EC PAG Chairs
9:10am	Beyond the Selection: The Path Forward	Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development
9:50am	Workshop synthesis 1: Key Science Questions for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
10:50am	Morning Break
11:20am	Workshop synthesis 2: Key Technology Capabilities for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
12:20pm	Lunch
	Afternoon
2:00pm	Building the Future: Community consensus on Science, Capabilities, and Missions for the next decades	TBA
3:30pm	Closing Remarks	TBA
4:00pm	End of Day 3

The post Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop, Sept 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

Expected Science from deciHz Gravitational Waves

Speaker

Cole Miller, University of Maryland

Abstract

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.  

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post GW SIG Seminar, 10 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

Agenda

HWO SIG Host: Jessie Christiansen

Topic	Speaker
HWO Events at the AAS	Rob Zellem / Raissa Estrella
CSIT Update	Scott Gaudi
Where HWO Fits into ASTRA / the Astro2030 Decadal	Jessica Gaskin
Pre-Proposal Instrument Study Meeting Report Out	Aki Roberge

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post Habitable Worlds Observatory SIG Seminar, 10 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

Agenda

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.

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post GR SIG Seminar, 12 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.

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.

Seminar Connection

Join the Seminar

The post ASTRA Initiative Seminar, 12 June 2026 appeared first on NASA Science.