Technology Needs and Gap Lists

Technology Gap List

Click here for the NASA Astrophysics Division Technology Gap List (2024)

The motivation and objectives of the ExEP Technology Program are summarized in the Technology Gap List: the list serves to identify where technology development is needed. A technology gap is defined as the difference between what has been done (or is known) today relative to what is needed in order to implement a future mission, and candidate technologies are ones that potentially close the gap.

The Astrophysics Biennial Technology Report is a joint technology report from the three Astrophysics Program Offices -- Physics of the Cosmos (PCOS), Cosmic Origins (COR), and Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP), and provides an overview of the technology needs of NASA's Astrophysics Division.

Technology Needs and Prioritization Process

• The ExEP technology program aims to identify the technologies that will enable NASA’s future exoplanet missions, and to facilitate their maturation to be ready when needed. These technologies are identified through technology gap lists and communicated through the Technology Plan Appendix.
• ExEP's Technology Selection and Prioritization Process is carried out biennially in coordination with the PCOS/COR program. Please see the briefing from Brendan Crill and Thai Pham to APAC from October 23, 2018 for an overview of the process. The most recent prioritization cycle occured in 2024 following the Astro2020 decadal survey.
• Technology gap submission form (2021)

2024 ExEP Gap and Sub-gap List