The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will appoint the Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (CBPSS) to support scientific progress in space research in the biological, medical, and physical sciences and assist the federal government in integrating and planning programs in these fields. The CBPSS provides an independent, authoritative forum for identifying and discussing issues in space life and physical sciences between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public.
The scope for CBPSS spans plant and microbial biology, animal and human physiology, and basic and applied physical sciences, in the context of understanding the role of gravity in living and physical systems in order to develop capabilities required for space exploration, and using the space environment as a tool of science to advance knowledge.
The committee shall monitor the progress of implementing the priorities in the most recent decadal survey for the most important scientific and technical activities in that report and in the subsequent mid-decadal review report.
When requested by a sponsor and as approved by NASEM in accordance with its procedures, the Committee may write reports to assess progress on the implementation of the decadal survey's recommended scientific and technical activities. The reports shall be based on evidence gathered by the Committee. The reports may address key strategies being pursued by the agencies and the status of agency actions that relate to the state of implementation. The reports may also highlight scientific discoveries and engineering and technical advances relevant to progress on the science objectives identified in the decadal survey or mid-decadal review, as appropriate, and in addition will focus on one or more of the following types of issues:

• The scientific quality and the potential for discovery in the field;
• The impact of scientific advances on the implementation of the decadal survey recommended activities and the translation of scientific knowledge to human exploration missions;
• The impact of changing budget priorities, especially those that challenge the fundamental assumptions of the most recent decadal survey, on the implementation of decadal survey priorities and on the balance between exploration-focused and basic scientific research more broadly; and
• The potential impact on a recommended course of action at a decision point described in the decadal survey.