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Space Studies Board

The Space Studies Board brings space science and applications and other related expertise together to address space science and space policy issues of national importance.

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News and Updates

Search for Life Should Be Top Science Priority for First Human Landing on Mars, Says New Report

News Release

When astronauts set foot on Mars, it will be one of humanity’s greatest milestones, marking the start of a new era of discovery on another planet. A new National Academies report identifies the highest priority science objectives for the first human missions to Mars and says searching for evidence of existing or past life on the planet should be the top priority.

Dec 9, 2025
cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and updates

Upcoming Events

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Closed Meeting No. 17

  • December 19, 2025
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Closed Meeting No. 18

  • January 2, 2026
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Space Science Week 2026

  • March 23 - 27, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

Space Science Week is a joint meeting of the space science discipline committees of the Space Studies Board, Board on Physics and Astronomy, Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, and Board on Life...

Space Studies Board, Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, and Board on Physics and Astronomy Joint Meeting Spring 2026

  • June 2 - 5, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The 176th meeting of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board will be held June 2-3, the 192nd meeting of the Space Studies Board will be held June 2-4, the meeting of the Board on Physics and Astr...

Space Studies Board and Board on Physics and Astronomy Joint Meeting Fall 2026

  • October 20 - 22, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The 193rd meeting of the Space Studies Board will be held October 20-21, the meeting of the Board on Physics and Astronomy will be held October 21-22. October 21 will be a joint session.

Past Events

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Closed Meeting No. 16

  • December 12, 2025
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (Teleconference #4)

  • December 10, 2025
  • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • TeleConference
  • Past

This meeting will be closed in its entirety. Staff and Committee only.

Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space Telecon December 9, 2025

  • December 9, 2025
  • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • TeleConference
  • Past

This meeting is closed in its entirety. The meeting is for members and staff only.

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Report Release Event

  • December 9, 2025
  • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (EST)
  • Webinar
  • Past

When astronauts set foot on Mars, it will be one of humanity’s greatest milestones. These first steps will be the result of decades of research, engineering, and imagination coming together, marking t...

Cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars.

Committee on Planetary Protection Fall Meeting 2025

  • December 9 - 10, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

The CoPP Fall Meeting will take place in Washington DC on Dec 9-10. Day 1 Open Session Livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5542617 Day 2 Open Session Livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5542620

spacescienceweek_uw-slider.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONTA6ACC89A75C04199B48AB5DED18EAE93/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Closed Meeting No. 15

  • December 5, 2025
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Space Weather Roundtable (December Hybrid Meeting 2025)

  • December 4 - 5, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

Note that the agenda is subject to change. Please visit this page for updates.

spacescienceweek_uw-slider.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONTA6ACC89A75C04199B48AB5DED18EAE93/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Heliophysics, Physics, and Physical Science - Closed Meeting No. 22

  • December 2, 2025
  • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The panel is meeting in closed session.

Committee on Solar and Space Physics (Fall 2025 Meeting)

  • December 1 - 2, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

The Committee on Solar and Space Physics will hold its Fall 2025 meeting December 1st and 2nd in Washington D.C. Please see the most recent agenda for the most accurate presentation times. The open se...

Space Studies Board and Board on Physics and Astronomy Joint Meeting Fall 2025 (with Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board participation)

  • November 18 - 20, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

The 191st meeting of the Space Studies Board was held November 18-20, the meeting of the Board on Physics and Astronomy was held November 19-20. Sessions on November 19-20 were joint SSB and BPA. Sess...

Committee on Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Meeting No. 2

  • November 11 - 13, 2025
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is an open meeting of the Committee on Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers. November 12th open session Livestream link: htt...

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers - Closed Meeting No. 13

  • November 7, 2025
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting entirely in closed session.

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Heliophysics, Physics, and Physical Science - Closed Meeting No. 21

  • November 4, 2025
  • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The panel is meeting entirely in closed session.

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Applied Sciences, Meeting #13 (Virtual)

  • October 31, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Closed session meeting to discuss deliverables to the steering committee.

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Human and Biological Science - Meeting #12

  • October 31, 2025
  • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This meeting will be entirely in closed session.
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