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12 March 2025
NASA is soliciting self-nominations from interested individuals to participate as members of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Community Science and Instrument Team (CSIT). As recommended by the 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics, the HWO large space telescope concept will be designed to search for habitable planets and life outside our solar system as well as perform a wide range of transformative astrophysics.
The CSIT will assist the HWO Technology Maturation Project Office (HTMPO) in taking the next steps to mature the HWO technologies and mission concept, in preparation for the Mission Concept Review (MCR) anticipated by the end of the decade, contingent upon availability of funding. CSIT members will execute scientific studies needed to support definition of a baseline mission concept, analyze potential science instruments, and provide input to HTMPO’s technology maturation plans. Furthermore, the CSIT will play an important role as mission ambassadors to the broader science and technology communities.
The CSIT self-nomination process is detailed in a Dear Colleague Letter [PDF] on NASA’s HWO webpage. Self-nomination packages are due by 11:59p Eastern (8:59p Pacific) on 17 March 2025.
Please direct questions to the HWO Program Scientist, Dr. Megan Ansdell, at megan.c.ansdell@nasa.gov.