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 telescopes push the boundaries of scientific discovery and technology. To maintain U.S. leadership in space, NASA’s Astrophysics Division is launching the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative. Guided by expert reports like Astro2020, ASTRA will identify and develop early-stage strategic mission concepts. By collaborating with industry, academia, and international partners, ASTRA aims to advance new technologies while significantly reducing the cost, schedule risks, and time-to-science for future missions. 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.
For more details, please review the Mission Concepts for the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative announcement.
Materials to reference:
- Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s (Astro2020)
- Large Strategic Science Missions (LSSM) Report
- Assessment of Major Projects (AMP).
Submit Your Concept
ExoPAG, COPAG, and PhysPAG request input from the community in the form of brief Concept Study Description documents.
- A template is provided here.
- We request that Concept Study Descriptions are submitted using this form.
The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm PT on 1 July 2026.
Have Questions? Check Out the FAQs
Current listing of submitted ASTRA Initiative Questions with Answers
Submit Questions
Questions regarding this initiative should be submitted using this Slido Tool .
Get Involved
For more information on how to get involved, please contact your SIG lead or 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 |
Stay Connected
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News & Events
Stay up-to-date with the latest content from ASTRA Initiative as we explore the universe.
1-3 September 2026. The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division.
Ad ASTRA Workshop Abstract and Mission Concept Deadline Extended to 1 July 2026
TODAY: Planning for the Future of Astrophysics and the ASTRA Initiative. 10:00am - 11:30am PT
Physics of the Cosmos at the 248th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, 14-18 June 2026
Ground- and Space-Based Astronomy in the 2030s/2040s. Speaker: Rob Petre, NASA / GSFC 12 June 2026 12:00pm-1:00pm ET/ 9:00am-10:00am PT
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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