https://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/astro/documents/ASTRA_Web_Update_2026-03-25.pdf

NASA’s greatest telescopes continue to expand our frontiers in both literal and metaphorical ways. They advance the limits of humanity’s views of the cosmos while they address profound questions: How does the universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone? They also advance the frontiers of our technologies and capabilities by making the previously impossible routine, and in the process advancing US strategic interests consistent with the President’s national space policy. NASA’s Astrophysics Division (APD) pursues implementation plans for these frontier-expanding missions with guidance from: decadal surveys by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine including “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” (Astro2020); internal NASA reports, including the Large Strategic Science Missions (LSSM) Report; and independent assessments including the Government Accountability Office’s Assessment of Major Projects (AMP).

To ensure continued US leadership in expanding humanity’s knowledge of the Universe, NASA Astrophysics Division is creating the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative, to: 1) identify strategic (flagship/probe) mission concepts that expand our frontier to dramatically advance astrophysics; 2) study those concepts at a low fidelity level to inform strategic decisions; and 3) advance the concepts ahead of formal pre-Phase A activities for potential projects. At each stage of this initiative, NASA will work with our industry, commercial, philanthropic, and academic partners to advance the technologies and manufacturing capabilities required to make these missions possible and will explore domestic and international partnerships that could reduce their costs to the agency. These preparatory activities are designed to follow the guidance from Astro2020, the LSSM, and AMP. This initiative is structured to reduce the total cost of future strategic missions, their time from conception-to-science, and their cost and schedule, in advance of formal project formulation.

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ASTRA is intended to support mission concept studies and technology maturation for future large strategic astrophysics missions recommended by Astro2020. Initial activities are expected to include work related to a potential future strategic X-ray mission concept, along with the identification and maturation of technologies required to enable next-generation large strategic missions. This effort is consistent with NASA’s ongoing implementation of the Astro2020 Decadal Survey and helps ensure that future strategic mission opportunities are supported by mature mission concepts and enabling technologies.

The goals of the ASTRA initiative include:

• Advancing mission concept studies for future large strategic astrophysics missions
• Identifying and maturing technologies with long development timelines needed for breakthrough science
• Maintaining a pipeline of strategic mission concepts that can be developed as future mission opportunities arise
• Leveraging emerging capabilities from academia, industry, and the commercial space sector

ASTRA planning is envisioned as a community-driven effort, with concept studies led by the astrophysics community and supported by NASA centers and partners across academia and industry. APD has posted a preliminary document that includes additional details entitled “Mission Concepts for the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative” under the “Strategic Planning” section at https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/resources/documents/. 

Beginning as early as mid-calendar year 2026, subject to the availability of resources, planned activities include community engagement workshops, concept study selections, and identification of key technologies for maturation. Lessons learned from ongoing strategic mission activities, including work supporting the Habitable Worlds Observatory, will help inform approaches to concept and technology maturation. 

Community engagement activities related to ASTRA, with concept studies and technology planning are expected to occur over a multi-year period. This announcement is provided for community awareness and planning purposes. Additional information regarding community engagement opportunities will be shared as planning progresses. More details on ASTRA, including an anticipated timeline, can be found in the announcement document [PDF].

NASA’s Astrophysics Division looks forward to working with the community to help identify and shape the mission concepts and technologies that will enable the next generation of astrophysics discoveries. Questions/comment may be direct to the ASTRA Point of Contact at NASA Headquarters, Jessica Gaskin, Associate Director for Concept and Technology Development, APD, email jessica.gaskin@nasa.gov