Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is the highest-priority large space mission recommended to NASA by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” Decadal Survey (Astro2020) to begin implementation in the decade 2023-2033. The HWO Technology Maturation Project Office (HTMPO) is tasked with maturing the technologies for HWO prior to implementation.

Through community input and review of state-of-the art UV and VIS technology capabilities, HTMPO has identified several technology gaps in the performance of key technologies for the ultraviolet (UV; near ultraviolet (NUV); and far ultraviolet (FUV)) and visible (VIS) instruments. Aerodyne-SGT Engineering Services (ASES) plans to solicit proposals to advance the state-of-the art for these technologies in mission-enabling key performance areas.

Specifically, proposals will address a Phase 1 short duration (one month) study to generate a detailed technology development plan for one of the following specific candidate technologies (CT): Multi-Object Selection, Low Scatter UV Gratings, FUV Imaging Filters, FUV/NUV Image Slicers, and FUV/NUV Compatible Fiber Optics.

Phase 2 will address implementation of the plans defined in Phase 1 with timing and funding contingent on available HTMPO budget. Teams that do not respond to the Phase 1 solicitation or that are not selected for a Phase 1 study are not eligible for funding during Phase 2 of the study.

Responses to the Phase 1 call will be due no later than 11:59p Eastern (8:59p Pacific) on 20 November 2026, and decisions for awards will be communicated by 31 December 2026, with funds awarded immediately following.

In order to be eligible for this study, proposers should be affiliated with a US entity including, but not limited to, commercial entities, academia, federal institutions, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FRDCs). NASA Centers including JPL are ineligible to propose. Partnering with foreign institutions is acceptable; a US-based entity must be the lead proposing organization.

To learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to : ASES-Subcontract-Mgmt@aerodyneindustries.com.