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Space research expands knowledge, drives innovation, and supports national interests. The National Academies examine exploration, policy, and technology that shape the future of space science and industry.

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What could we learn by landing humans on Mars?

Based on Science

Landing humans on Mars could teach us whether life ever existed beyond Earth, how planets change over time, and how humans can live on other worlds. By studying Mars up close, astronauts could answer some of the biggest questions in science, including whether we are alone in the universe.

May 29, 2026

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

Following the Success of Artemis II, Scientists Will Shape What Comes Next for Lunar Exploration

Feature Story

NASA plans to launch more lunar missions after the success of Artemis II, signaling a renewed era for lunar exploration and science — and raising questions about what comes next. A National Academies study currently underway will identify key nonpolar landing sites for future crewed lunar missions and what science goals could be achieved.

Apr 13, 2026

jsc2026e022316 (April 11, 2026) - NASA’s Artemis II crew, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues after they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford

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

Featured Publications

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Consensus Study Report

2026

The Next Decade of Discovery in Solar and Space Physics: Exploring and Safeguarding Humanity's Home in Space

Consensus Study Report

2025

Proposed Science Themes for NASA's Fifth New Frontiers Mission

Consensus Study Report

2025

NASA at a Crossroads: Maintaining Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology Preeminence in the Coming Decades

Consensus Study Report

2024

Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Midterm Assessment of Progress Toward Implementation of the Decadal Survey

Consensus Study Report

2024

A New Era in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Sciences Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023–2032

2024

Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Sciences Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032

Consensus Study Report

2023

Origins, Worlds, and Life: Planetary Science and Astrobiology in the Next Decade

2023

Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s

Consensus Study Report

2023

Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032

Consensus Study Report

2023

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

Consensus Study Report

2023

Acquisition Strategies for Future Space-Based Optics Follow On Letter Report: Unclassified Summary

Consensus Study Report

2023

Planning the Future Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure: Proceedings of the Phase II Workshop

Proceedings

2022

Next Generation Earth Systems Science at the National Science Foundation

Consensus Study Report

2022

Views of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on Agenda Items at Issue at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023

Consensus Study Report

2022

Airborne Platforms to Advance NASA Earth System Science Priorities: Assessing the Future Need for a Large Aircraft

Consensus Study Report

2021

Planning the Future Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2021

Leveraging Unmanned Systems for Coast Guard Missions

2020

Progress Toward Implementation of the 2013 Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics: A Midterm Assessment

Consensus Study Report

2020

Evolving the Geodetic Infrastructure to Meet New Scientific Needs

Consensus Study Report

2020

In Progress

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A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP)

Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA)

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS)

Space Science Week

Assessment of Technical and Scientific Capabilities at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

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

NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology

Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033

Review of Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR) 2022-2027 Research and Technology Plan

Review of FCC Order 20-48 Authorizing Operation of a Terrestrial Radio Network Near the GPS Frequency Bands

Assessment of Strategies for Managing Cancer Risks Associated with Radiation Exposure During Crewed Space Missions

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

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

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

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

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

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

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

Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA)

Space Science Week

Exoplanet Science Strategy

Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness

Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) Capability for Battalion-and-Below Operations

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

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033

Advancing a Systems Approach to Studying the Earth: A Strategy for the National Science Foundation

Future Use of NASA Airborne Platforms to Advance Earth Science Priorities

Evolving the Geodetic Infrastructure to Meet New Scientific Needs

Views on the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019

Value and Sustainability of Biological Field Stations, Marine Laboratories, and Natural Reserves in 21st Century Science, Education, and Public Outreach

Emerging Research Questions in the Arctic

Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions (to support monitoring international commitments on climate change)

CAS-NAS Forum for New Leaders in Space Science

Assessment of Technical and Scientific Capabilities at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033

Assessment of Strategies for Managing Cancer Risks Associated with Radiation Exposure During Crewed Space Missions

Assessment of NASA Aeronautics University Leadership Initiative

Exoplanet Science Strategy

Best Practices for a Future Open Code Policy for NASA Space Science

A Midterm Assessment of Implementation of the Decadal Survey on Life and Physical Sciences Research at NASA

Aviation Safety Assurance

CAS-NAS Forum for New Leaders in Space Science

Review of FCC Order 20-48 Authorizing Operation of a Terrestrial Radio Network Near the GPS Frequency Bands

National Security Space Defense and Protection

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

Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation

Astro2020: Panel on Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena

Evolving the Geodetic Infrastructure to Meet New Scientific Needs

Exoplanet Science Strategy

Advancing Understanding of Gulf of Mexico Loop Current Dynamics -

A Midterm Assessment of Implementation of the Decadal Survey on Life and Physical Sciences Research at NASA

Value and Sustainability of Biological Field Stations, Marine Laboratories, and Natural Reserves in 21st Century Science, Education, and Public Outreach

Emerging Research Questions in the Arctic

Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions (to support monitoring international commitments on climate change)

Review of Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR) 2022-2027 Research and Technology Plan

Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe

Large Strategic NASA Science Missions: Science Value and Role in a Balanced Portfolio

Review of Progress Toward the Decadal Survey Vision in New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics

NASA Technology Roadmaps

A Survey of the Active Scientific Use of the Radio Spectrum

Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023-2032: Physical Sciences Panel

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics: Early-Career Webinars

Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032: Panel on Ocean Worlds and Dwarf Planets

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space - Panel on Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems and Natural Resource Management