Standing Committee

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

Projects

Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure Workshop

Workshop

My Academies

Space Studies Board

News and Updates

Projects

Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure Workshop

Review of the Report of the NASA Planetary Protection Independent Review Board

Review of the NASA Science Mission Directorate Science Plan

Astro2020: Panel on Electromagnetic Observations from Space 2

Astro2020: Panel on State of the Profession and Societal Impacts

Astro2020: Panel on An Enabling Foundation for Research

Astro2020: Panel on Exoplanets, Astrobiology, and the Solar System

Astro2020: Panel on Galaxies

Astro2020: Panel on Particle Astrophysics and Gravitation

Astro2020: Panel on the Interstellar Medium and Star and Planet Formation

Astro2020: Panel on Electromagnetic Observations from Space 1

Astro2020: Panel on Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena

Astro2020: Panel on Stars, the Sun, and Stellar Populations

Astro2020: Panel on Optical and Infrared Observations from the Ground

Astro2020: Panel on Cosmology