Physics of the Cosmos Science
The Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative
To maintain US leadership, NASA's Astrophysics Division (APD) is launching the Astrophysics Strategic Technology and Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative.
About the ASTRA Initiative
How does the universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone?
At every stage, NASA will collaborate with industry, academia, and international partners to advance necessary technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and reduce costs.
ASTRA aims to reduce the total cost, time-to-science, and schedule risk of future strategic missions, aligning with the guidance from Astro2020, LSSM, and AMP.
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 maintain US leadership, APD is launching the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative. ASTRA will:
- identify strategic (flagship/probe) mission concepts that expand our frontier to dramatically advance astrophysics;
- study those concepts at a low fidelity level to inform strategic decisions; and
- advance the concepts ahead of formal pre-Phase A activities for potential projects.
At every stage, NASA will collaborate with industry, academia, and international partners to advance necessary technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and reduce costs. ASTRA aims to reduce the total cost, time-to-science, and schedule risk of future strategic missions, aligning with the guidance from Astro2020, LSSM, and AMP.
Further details, including a timeline, are available in the announcement document [PDF].
Questions regarding this initiative should be submitted to this link:
Get Involved
For more information on how to get involved, please contact those listed here.
| NASA HQ | Jessica Gaskin | Associate Director for Concept and Technology Development, APD |
| COPAG | Shouleh Nikzad | COPAG Chair |
| PhysPAG | Manel Errando | PhysPAG Chair |
| ExoPAG | Ian Crossfield | ExoPAG Chair |
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News & Events
Stay up-to-date with the latest content from ASTRA Initiative as we explore the universe.
There will be a hybrid presentation on Thursday 7 May at 2p Eastern (11a Pacific) by Regina Caputo (NASA/GSFC) on “Flaglets for Discovery: A Coordinated Fleet Approach to NASA Astrophysics”
From Interesting Idea to Selected ASTRA Study: Thoughts and Considerations. Speaker: Al Nash, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 9:30am - 11:00am PT - 12:30pm - 2:00pm ET
27-28 May 2026. Innovation for Astrophysics Missions Workshop
1-3 September 2026. The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division.
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.
Astrophysics Division Technology
The science missions of the Astrophysics Division are enabled by technologies developed through the following programs: Cosmic Origins (COR), Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS), Exoplanet Exploration (EXEP), and the Astrophysics Research Program.
Learn More about Astrophysics Division Technology
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