NASA Invites White Papers for Roman Coronagraph Instrument Development

On June 16, 2025, NASA announced a call for white papers aimed at gathering innovative concepts for the Roman Coronagraph Instrument (RCI), a key component of the forthcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This initiative is part of NASA's efforts to engage the scientific community in shaping the future of exoplanet research and technology demonstrations. The deadline for submissions is set for August 7, 2025.

The Roman Coronagraph Instrument, designed to operate in tandem with the Roman Space Telescope, will provide unprecedented capabilities for high-resolution, wide-field surveys in the near-infrared spectrum. The RCI is particularly significant as it will be the first to demonstrate space-based visible-band coronagraphy with active optics, a technology that could enhance our understanding of exoplanets and their atmospheres.

According to Dr. Nancy Smith, a lead astronomer on the Roman project at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, “The development of the RCI is crucial for maturing NASA’s capabilities in exoplanet characterization. This white paper initiative allows the community to contribute actively to the design and implementation of this groundbreaking science.”

The Community Participation Program (CPP), which is overseeing the white paper call, aims to facilitate contributions from a diverse range of stakeholders within the scientific community, including researchers at various career stages and types of institutions. The CPP will review submitted white papers and utilize them to inform the planning of Coronagraph observations. Notably, these observations will not be part of the Roman General Investigator Program, making the white paper submission a vital channel for influencing observational priorities.

Submissions to the white paper call will be published on the CPP website, unless authors choose to opt out, fostering transparency and collaboration within the community. The full solicitation, along with resources for authors, can be accessed at the official RCI website: https://www.romancoronagraph.space/white-papers-2025.

The Roman Space Telescope, slated for full operational status in 2027, is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Through advanced imaging techniques and its innovative coronagraph, the mission aims to unveil the mysteries surrounding the formation of exoplanets and their potential habitability. As the scientific community prepares for this exciting endeavor, the call for white papers is a critical step in inviting innovative ideas that could shape the future of space-based astronomy.

The implications of this initiative extend beyond mere scientific inquiry; they touch on broader themes of international collaboration, technological advancement, and the quest for knowledge about life beyond Earth. With contributions from the global scientific community, the Roman Coronagraph Instrument could pave the way for discoveries that redefine our understanding of our place in the cosmos.