Panel on Astrobiology

The Panel on Astrobiology will identify the highest priority science objectives among the astrobiology disciplines to be addressed by humans on the surface of Mars. The Panel will specify how each identified science objectives maps to the discipline’s decadal report or roadmap as well as to one or more of the objectives identified in NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives. The Panel will identify samples and measurements needed to address the science objectives and how those may impact site selection criteria. The Panel will identify research and technology developments that will need to be done in advance of crewed missions to enable the science objectives, including any that could be done on the Moon.

Overall Project Statement of Task
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee to address the topic of “High Priority Science Campaigns for Human Explorers on the Surface of Mars.” To address this topic, the committee will:

• Identify the highest priority science objectives among all relevant science disciplines to be addressed by humans on the surface of Mars. A separate follow-on study will investigate what science objectives are highest priority for in-space phases of crewed missions to Mars.
  a) Specify how each identified science objective maps to the respective decadal report or discipline roadmap as well as to one or more of the objectives identified in NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives.
  b) Identify any objectives missing in NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives that are relevant to this objectives mapping task.
  c) Explain how the objectives change or the priority order is altered by the number of crew or the duration of the surface mission. This includes noting if crew size or surface duration are factors for prioritization.
  
• Identify types of samples and measurements needed to address science objectives.
  a) Specify key measurements, if any, that need to be made before human arrival using preplaced assets, either in orbit or on the surface.
  b) Specify key measurements, if any, that must be made in situ or on the martian surface before return needed to achieve the identified science objectives. Justify why the measurements need to be made on the martian surface rather than in terrestrial laboratories.
  c) Specify key measurements, if any, that must be made in terrestrial labs on returned samples to achieve the identified science objectives. Include estimates of mass of returned sample(s) required to make identified measurements, and justify why the measurements need to be made in terrestrial laboratories rather than on the martian surface.
  d) Specify whether analyses of any surface-collected samples are needed to be performed during the return trip, and justify why measurements must be made in transit rather than on the Martian surface or in terrestrial laboratories.
  
• Identify and prioritize several science campaigns that would achieve a subset of the identified highest priority science objectives, where each campaign encompasses the first three landings of human-scale landers on Mars.
  a) For each science campaign, describe a science “roadmap” that includes the highest priority science objective(s) addressed, secondary science objectives that are also achievable, measurements needed to address the objectives, and key assets and major equipment emplaced at each phase of the campaign (before, during, between, or after crew missions).
  b) Include a discussion of the crew’s role in achieving the science objectives.
  c) If applicable, specify, and justify any variations in the provided guidance for campaigns needed to achieve the highest priority science objectives (for example, more than three missions).
  
• For the highest priority science campaigns, identify preliminary criteria for appropriate landing sites, based on available data, that will enable science objectives to be met. Examples of criteria that might be considered include: 1) ice within a certain surface depth, 2) salt-bearing materials accessible to crew, or 3) caves with accessible entrance points for human explorers. Discussion of specific landing sites is not requested.
  
• Identify any key equipment needed for each science campaign to address the identified science objectives.
  
• Include a discussion of the criteria used to assign prioritization for science campaigns.
  
• Describe commonalities with Moon exploration. For example, discuss equipment and capabilities for each campaign that could also be developed and used for upcoming human exploration missions to the Moon, Gateway, or the International Space Station (ISS). If relevant and straightforward, note any equipment/capabilities developed for the Moon, Gateway, or ISS is relevant to Mars exploration.
  
• Identify key synergies with exploration goals. Specifically, discuss how science activities in each campaign synergize with NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development report.