Skip to main content
Units
Oversight Unit

Aeronautics, Space, and Astronomy Program Area

This program area serves as an authoritative forum for space science policy and applies engineering expertise to aerospace challenges. Our work sets research priorities and guides policy in aeronautics, aviation safety, human spaceflight, astronomy, and space sciences.

Work with us
Eagle Nebula (M16 - Messier 16) SHO Palette

In progress

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

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

Feature Story

What is space weather, what causes it, and how does it affect humans? Physicist Robyn Millan, who co-chaired a recent National Academies decadal report on solar and space physics, answered questions about space weather and how scientists can improve their ability to forecast it.

Feb 4, 2025
Aurora Borealis over Reykjavik, Iceland

First Images from Vera C. Rubin Observatory Debut at National Academy of Sciences

Feature Story

Project scientists and others gathered at the National Academy of Sciences building to see the first images from the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory, named after the trailblazing astronomer and NAS member whose research provided clear evidence of the existence of dark matter. The observatory was recommended by the National Academies’ 2010 astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey.

Jun 24, 2025
In this immense image NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory offers a brand new view of two old friends: the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae. The image provides a demonstration of what makes Rubin unique: its combination of an extremely wide field of view and the speed that allows it to take lots of big images in a very short time. Combining images reveals subtle details in the clouds of gas and dust. The more images we can combine, the more detail we see!  This almost 5-gigapixel image combines 678 exposures taken in just 7.2 hours of observing time, and was composed from about two trillion pixels of data in total. No other observatory is capable of producing an image of such a wide area so quickly and with this much depth.  The Trifid Nebula (also referred to as Messier 20) is a standout in the sky. It’s a bright, colorful cloud of gas and dust about 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. What makes it especially striking is the combination of features packed into one place: a glowing pink emission nebula, a cool blue reflection nebula, and dark dust lanes that split it into three sections — hence the name “Trifid.” Inside, new stars are forming and blasting out strong winds and radiation, carving up the gas around them. It gives us a dramatic glimpse at how massive stars shape their surroundings even as they’re being born. Below the Trifid Nebula in this image is the Lagoon Nebula (or Messier 8), another vibrant stellar nursery glowing about 4,000 light-years away. You can actually spot the Lagoon with just a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. At its heart is a cluster of young, massive stars — their intense radiation lights up the surrounding gas and shapes the swirling clouds into intricate patterns. The Lagoon nebula provides scientists with a great place to study the earliest stages of star formation — how giant clouds collapse, how star clusters take shape, and how newborn stars start to reshape their environment.  This expansive image of Trifid and Lagoon together exposes an intricate web of dust lanes and star clusters that make this part of the Milky Way come alive with cosmic activity. The exquisite detail in the structure of the nebulosity shown here  demonstrates the exceptional quality of Rubin’s entire system — from its light-collecting power, to its sensitive camera, to its efficient data transfer and processing system. Over ten years, Rubin Observatory will take millions of images and will image each place in the sky, including this one, about 800 times.  Every time we look at the Universe in a new way, we discover new things we never could have predicted — and with Rubin we will see more than we ever have before. The image was captured by Rubin Observatory using the 3200-megapixel LSST Camera — the largest digital camera in the world.
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and updates

Our Expertise

The Aeronautics, Space, and Astronomy program area brings together leading experts from academia, government, and industry to provide independent, strategic, and forward-thinking advice on critical space science and aeronautics challenges.

Our decadal surveys inform federal research agendas and agency investments, guiding mission planning and funding decisions that span multiple administrations, while our studies and rapid assessments ensure that decision makers have access to timely and actionable advice. Our workshops and roundtables address emerging issues by offering an unparalleled forum for strategic planning among policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders.

From evaluating workforce and infrastructure needs to support a robust national space enterprise and aviation industry to identifying science strategies for human Mars exploration, our work aims to ensure that U.S. investments yield maximum scientific and societal benefits.

Description

Our work applies engineering expertise to aerospace challenges and serves as an authoritative forum for space science, policy guidance, and international research coordination. Covers aeronautics R&D, aviation safety, human spaceflight, earth science from space, astrobiology, microgravity research, heliophysics, and astronomy and astrophysics, fostering collaboration among researchers, government, and the public.

Work with Us
Looking for independent, nonpartisan guidance from the nation’s top subject-matter experts? We stand ready to help potential sponsors across a variety of sectors shape research and policy agendas, regulation, investments, operations, state and local initiatives, and more.
Contact Us
Keck building

Contributors

Staff

T Arul Mozhi

Lead

Art Charo

Dwayne Day

Kristen Garofali

Gaybrielle Holbert

Tarini Konchady

Kelsie Krafton

Sam Myszkowski

Daniel Nagasawa

Tanja Pilzak

Andrea Rebholz

Abigail Sheffer

Linda Walker

Dionna Wise

Subscribe to Email from the National Academies
Keep up with all of the activities, publications, and events by subscribing to free updates by email.