Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop, Sept 2026

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Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop

The workshop will take place in Baxter Lecture Hall on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California

ASTRA Initiative about Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop

Location

Pasadena, California
& Virtual

Dates

1-3 September 2026

Community

Physics of the Cosmos

Type

Workshop

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

Register for the Workshop

Local Information

Session Connection: Join the Session

Day 1 Science

TimeTopicSpeakersPresentations

8:30amIntroduction to ASTRAShawn Domagal-Goldman, APD Director

9:00amPlan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 1 focus)Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development

9:20amHow did we get here: PhysPAGManel Errando, PhysPAG EC chair

9:40amHow did we get here: COPAGShouleh Nikzad, COPAG EC Chair

10:00amHow did we get here: EXOPAGIan Crossfield, ExoPAG EC Chair

10:20amMorning Break

11:00amPressing 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 PopulationsContributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)

12:30pmLunch

Afternoon

2:00pmPressing 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 PopulationsContributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)

3:30pmAfternoon Break

4:00pmSynthesis Panel on Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and BeyondBreakout Session Moderators

5:00pmEvening Reception

7:00pmEnd of Day 1

Day 2 Capabilities

Session Connection: Join the Session

TimeTopicSpeakersPresentations

9:00amPlan for the Workshop: Deliverables
and Mandate (Day 2 focus)EC PAG Chairs

9:10amInnovation Workshop SummaryInnovation Workshop SOC speaker

9:50amNASA Strategic Technology GapsChief Technologist from PAGs

10:10amMorning Break

10:40amEmerging Technologies (session)Presentations from 
community/industry members (TBA)

12:30pmLunch

Afternoon

2:00pmAstrophysics 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 TBDContributed presentations from 
community members (TBA after
abstract selection)

4:00pmAfternoon Break

4:45pmSynthesis panel to summarize the breakout sessions on capabilitiesBreakout Session Moderators

5:45pmEnd of Day 2

Day 3 Wrap UP

Session Connection: Join the Session

TimeTopicSpeakersPresentations

9:00amPlan for the workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 3 focus)EC PAG Chairs

9:10amBeyond the Selection: The Path ForwardJessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development

9:50amWorkshop synthesis 1: Key Science Questions for the 2030s and Beyond
TBA

10:50amMorning Break

11:20amWorkshop synthesis 2: Key Technology Capabilities for the 2030s and BeyondTBA

12:20pmLunch

Afternoon

2:00pmBuilding the Future: Community consensus on Science, Capabilities, and Missions for the next decadesTBA

3:30pmClosing RemarksTBA

4:00pmEnd of Day 3

Selected Abstracts

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