The Community Science (Ad ASTRA) Workshop is organized by the NASA Astrophysics Division, in conjunction with the ASTRA initiative, 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.
Scientific Organizing Committee
- David R. Ardila (Exoplanet Program Office, Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- David Ciardi (Caltech/IPAC-NExScI)
- Francesca Civano (Physics of the Cosmos Program Office, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Ron Gamble (Cosmic Origins, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Jessica Gaskin (NASA Headquarters)
- Brian Humensky (Physics of the Cosmos Program Office, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Bernard Kelly (Physics of the Cosmos, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Peter Kurczynski (Cosmic Origins Program Office, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Eric Mamajek (Exoplanet Program Office, Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Swara Ravindranarth (Cosmic Origins Program Office, Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Karl Stapelfeldt (Exoplanet Program Office, Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Local Organizing Committee
- David R. Ardila (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Frank Aragon (Caltech/IPAC)
- Wendy Burt (Caltech/IPAC)
- David Ciardi (Caltech/IPAC-NExScI)
- Catherine Clark (Caltech/IPAC-NExScI)
- Stephanie Clark (Goddard Space Flight Center)
- David Cook (Caltech/IPAC-NED)
- Elise Furlan (Caltech/IPAC-NExScI)
- Sean Kindt (Caltech/IPAC)
- Ryan Lau (Caltech/IPAC-RAPID)
- Tiffany Meshkat (Caltech/IPAC-Roman,KOA)
- Eric Oh (Caltech/IPAC-SELab)
- Narot Piric (Caltech/IPAC)
- Vivian U (Caltech/IPAC-Roman)
- Ashlee Zhang (Caltech/IPAC)
If you have any questions about the workshop, you can contract us at community2026@ipac.caltech.edu.