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

News Release

Dec 9, 2025

cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Request for Community Input

Update

Sep 24, 2025

Scientific Themes for NASA’s Next New Frontiers Class Mission — New Report

Media Advisory

Feb 25, 2025

Making Sense of Space Weather: Q&A with Physicist Robyn Millan

Feature Story

Feb 4, 2025

Aurora Borealis over Reykjavik, Iceland

Investments in New Programs, Satellite Constellations, Space Weather Recommended in Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics

News Release

Dec 5, 2024

Climate Change Underscores the Need for Strategic Investments in NASA’s Earth Sciences, Says New Report

Media Advisory

Jul 10, 2024

Total Solar Eclipse Offers Rare Opportunities to Advance Science

Feature Story

Apr 5, 2024

International Collaboration a Focus of Space Science Week, To Kick Off March 18

Feature Story

Mar 13, 2024

Continued U.S. Leadership in Human and Robotic Space Exploration Will Require Increased Government Commitments to Research at the Frontiers of Biological and Physical Sciences, Says New Report

News Release

Sep 12, 2023

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Competed Space Mission Leadership at NASA Will Require Extensive Efforts Along Entire Career Pathways, Says New Report

News Release

May 18, 2022

Report Identifies Priority Planetary Science Missions, Planetary Defense Efforts, and Strategic Investments for the Next Decade

News Release

Apr 19, 2022

‘New Space Ecosystem' Should Be Leveraged to Provide Transformative Science Advancements, Says New Report

News Release

Mar 3, 2022

New Report Charts Path for Next Decade of Astronomy and Astrophysics; Recommends Future Ground and Space Telescopes, Scientific Priorities, Investments in Scientific Community

News Release

Nov 4, 2021

Report Identifies New Approach for Some NASA Missions to Prevent Contaminating Mars with Earth-Based Microbes

News Release

Oct 7, 2021

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