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.

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 Sessions

Day 1 Science

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
9:00am	Introduction to ASTRA	Shawn Domagal-Goldman, APD Director Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development
9:40am	Plan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (day 1 focus)	EC PAG chairs
10:00am	How did we get here: PhysPAG	Manel Errando, PhysPAG EC chair
10:10am	How did we get here: COPAG	Shouleh Nikzad, COPAG EC Chair
10:20am	How did we get here: EXOPAG	Ian Crossfield, ExoPAG EC Chair
10:30am	Morning Break
10:50am	Mission Concepts Presentations	One speaker per mission (TBA)
12:30am	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)
4:30pm	Synthesis Panel on Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond	Breakout Session Moderators
5:30pm	End of Day 1

Day 2 Capabilities

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
10:30am	Emerging Technologies (session)	Presentations from community/industry members (TBA)
12:30am	Lunch
	AFTERNOON
2:00pm	Astrophysics Technology: Capabilities Needed Parallel Breakout Sessions: What are the capabilities needed (including hardware and software) for each science question? What are the technology gaps and development paths and timescales to them? - Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena - Cosmology - Galaxies - Exoplanets & Astrobiology - Stars and Stellar Populations	Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
4:30pm	Synthesis panel to summarize the breakout sessions on capabilities	Breakout Session Moderators
5:30pm	End of Day 2

Day 3 Wrap UP

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
10:00am	Workshop synthesis 1: Key Science Questions for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
11:00am	Morning Break
11:30am	Workshop synthesis 2: Key Technology Capabilities for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
12:30am	Lunch
	AFTERNOON
2:00pm	Building the Matrix: Science, Capabilities, and Missions	TBA
4:00pm	Closing Remarks	TBA
4:30pm	End of Day 3