The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division to engage the community in defining future large, strategic astrophysics missions. Structured over three thematic days—Science, Capabilities, and Missions—the workshop provides a comprehensive framework to connect scientific priorities with technological readiness and mission implementation. Across all three days, plenaries, panels, breakout sessions, and poster contributions are designed to maximize community input. The outcomes of the workshop will help NASA prioritize mission concepts and shape a balanced, forward-looking astrophysics portfolio.

This workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Program Offices in partnership with the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC).

Important Dates: 

• Registration opens: March 31, 2026
• Abstract deadline: June 24, 2026
• Contributed talks/posters selection: July 1, 2026
• Deadline for in-person registration: August 15, 2026
• Deadline for virtual registration: August 31, 2026

Session Connection: Join the Session

Day 1 Science

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
8:30am	Introduction to ASTRA	Shawn Domagal-Goldman, APD Director
9:00am	Plan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 1 focus)	Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development
9:20am	How did we get here: PhysPAG	Manel Errando, PhysPAG EC chair
9:40am	How did we get here: COPAG	Shouleh Nikzad, COPAG EC Chair
10:00am	How did we get here: EXOPAG	Ian Crossfield, ExoPAG EC Chair
10:20am	Morning Break
11:00am	Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond Parallel Breakout Sessions: -Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena -Cosmology -Galaxies -Exoplanets & Astrobiology -Stars and Stellar Populations	Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
12:30pm	Lunch
	Afternoon
2:00pm	Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond Parallel Breakout Sessions: -Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena -Cosmology -Galaxies -Exoplanets & Astrobiology -Stars and Stellar Populations	Contributed presentations from community members (TBA after abstract selection)
3:30pm	Afternoon Break
4:00pm	Synthesis Panel on Pressing Science Questions for Space Missions in the 2030s and Beyond	Breakout Session Moderators
5:00pm	Evening Reception
7:00pm	End of Day 1

Day 2 Capabilities

Session Connection: Join the Session

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
9:00am	Plan for the Workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 2 focus)	EC PAG Chairs
9:10am	Innovation Workshop Summary	Innovation Workshop SOC speaker
9:50am	NASA Strategic Technology Gaps	Chief Technologist from PAGs
10:10am	Morning Break
10:40am	Emerging Technologies (session)	Presentations from  community/industry members (TBA)
12:30pm	Lunch
	Afternoon
2:00pm	Astrophysics Technology: Capabilities Needed Parallel Breakout Sessions: What are  the capabilities needed (software and hardware, platform, location) relevant to the ASTRA submitted mission concepts? -Breakout categories TBD	Contributed presentations from  community members (TBA after abstract selection)
4:00pm	Afternoon Break
4:45pm	Synthesis panel to summarize the breakout sessions on capabilities	Breakout Session Moderators
5:45pm	End of Day 2

Day 3 Wrap UP

Session Connection: Join the Session

Time	Topic	Speakers	Presentations
9:00am	Plan for the workshop: Deliverables and Mandate (Day 3 focus)	EC PAG Chairs
9:10am	Beyond the Selection: The Path Forward	Jessica Gaskin, APD AD for Concept and Tech Development
9:50am	Workshop synthesis 1: Key Science Questions for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
10:50am	Morning Break
11:20am	Workshop synthesis 2: Key Technology Capabilities for the 2030s and Beyond	TBA
12:20pm	Lunch
	Afternoon
2:00pm	Building the Future: Community consensus on Science, Capabilities, and Missions for the next decades	TBA
3:30pm	Closing Remarks	TBA
4:00pm	End of Day 3