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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

Projects

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Heliophysics, Physics, and Physical Science

Other

In Progress

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Lunar and Planetary Sciences

Other

In Progress

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

Other

In Progress

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers: Panel on Applied Sciences

Other

In Progress

Key Non-Polar Destinations Across the Moon to Address Decadal-level Science Objectives with Human Explorers

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Panel on Biological and Physical Sciences and Human Factors

Other

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Panel on Astrobiology

Other

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Panel on Geosciences

Other

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Panel on Atmospheric Science and Space Physics

Other

In Progress

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences: Proposed Science Themes for NASA’s Fifth New Frontiers Mission

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Consensus/Advisory Activity

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

Space Science Week

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress

Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space: Assessment of Commercial Space Platforms for Earth Science Instruments

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Review of Progress Toward Implementing the Decadal Survey-Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on Space Weather Science and Applications

Other

Completed
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