How NASA astrophysics supports future technologies and technologists in the era of the Habitable Worlds Observatory

NASA’s Astrophysics Division features multiple solicitations to fund technology development for future space flight missions. We will present the paradigm used in these solicitations, a compare-and-contrast between the two, and the process for how technologies have been prioritized for inclusion in the SAT opportunity. We have statistics on selections, including groupings by subject matter and how these have evolved over time. Our focus is on the open APRA and SAT programs, and we will also cover the intramural funding for technology development. Over the years, several selected proposals have led to technologies which have been infused into later flight missions. There are now shifting approaches being used to emphasize technology development for the Habitable Worlds Observatory We will discuss anecdotal aspects of NASA’s technology innovation, maturation, and flight pipeline, and how it supports early-career researchers.