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Planetary Science Decadal Survey: 2013-2022

Completed

The Space Studies Board will establish a Survey Committee to develop a comprehensive science and mission strategy for planetary science that updates and extends the Board's 2003 solar system exploration decadal survey, "New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy." The new decadal survey will broadly canvas the planetary science community to determine the current state of knowledge and then identify the most important scientific questions expected to face the community during the interval 2011-2020.

Statement of Task

The Space Studies Board will establish a Survey Committee to develop a comprehensive science and mission strategy for planetary science that updates and extends the Board's 2003 solar system exploration decadal survey, "New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy." The new decadal survey will broadly canvas the planetary science community to determine the current state of knowledge and then identify the most important scientific questions expected to face the community during the interval 2011-2020. The scope of the survey and report shall encompass the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars), the Earth's Moon, giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), the moons of the major planets, dwarf planets and small bodies, primitive bodies including comets and Kuiper Belt objects, and astrobiology. The principal components of the report shall include: 1. An overview of planetary science--what it is, its relationship to other scientific endeavors, and why it is a compelling undertaking; 2. A broad survey of the current state of knowledge of the solar system; 3. An inventory of the top-level scientific questions that should guide flight programs and supporting research programs; 4. Recommendations on the optimum balance among small, medium, and large missions and supporting activities, informed by the Board's study on this topic ("mission-enabling activities") currently in progress; 5. A discussion of strategic technology development needs and opportunities; 6. A prioritized list of major flight investigations in the New Frontiers and larger classes recommended for initiation over the decade 2011-2020; 7. Recommendations for supporting research required to maximize the science return from the flight investigations; and, 8. A list of important science goals which could be achieved by small spacecraft (Discovery and Scout class) missions.The project is sponsored by NASAThe approximate start date for this project is02/01/2009A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 30 months.update 7/: this project was formerly titled "Solar System Decadal Survey"

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Committee Membership Roster Comments

Wesley Huntress resigned from the committee November 17, 2009

Staff

David Smith

Lead

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