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Standing Committee

Space Studies Board (SSB)

The Space Studies Board brings space science and applications and other related expertise together to address space science and space policy issues of national importance.

In progress

News and Updates

Explore exciting breakthroughs in space science with The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at Space Science Week 2026 on March 23-27

Update

Each year, Space Science Week brings together leaders across the space science disciplines to explore the latest developments and discuss the future of the field. This year will feature a plenary session with updates from leaders at NASA and an array of international space agencies, a joint session about leveraging AI for space science research, and a public lecture with singer Jewel on the intersection of art and science.

Mar 10, 2026
Partial solar eclipse above the curvature of the Earth in the foreground.

New Interactive:  A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Update

When astronauts set foot on Mars, it will mark a new era of discovery shaped by decades of research, engineering, and imagination. A new interactive overview of our report A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars offers a high-level outline of options for future human-led campaigns and how these missions can advance the highest-priority science objectives, from searching for signs of life to understanding how planets evolve and preparing for sustained human exploration.

Apr 15, 2026
cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Projects

Showing 1–32 of 135 items
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Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on Weather, Air Quality, and Global Dynamics (“Atmosphere”)

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on the State of the Profession

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on Continental Hydrology, Oceanography, and Water Cycles (“Hydrosphere”)

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on Polar Ice Sheets, Glaciers, and Sea Ice Dynamics (“Cryosphere”)

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on Carbon Cycles, Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems (“Biosphere”)

Supporting Activity

In Formation

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028): Panel on Earth Surface, Interior Dynamics, and Hazards (“Geosphere”)

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP): Issue Paper on the Limits of Terrestrial Life and the Probability of Growth on Mars

Individually-Authored Product

In Progress

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences (CAPS): Planetary Research Program Metrics to Enable a Vital Research Community and Achieve Decadal-Level Science

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Review of Progress Toward the Decadal Survey Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

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

Supporting Activity

In Progress

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

Supporting Activity

In Progress

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

Supporting Activity

In Progress

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
art002e009288 (April 6, 2026) – Earthset captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. A muted blue Earth with bright white clouds sets behind the cratered lunar surface.
The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region.  
In the foreground, Ohm crater has terraced edges and a flat floor interrupted by central peaks. Central peaks form in complex craters when the lunar surface, liquefied on impact, splashes upwards during the crater’s formation.

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars: Panel on Biological and Physical Sciences and Human Factors

Supporting Activity

Recently Completed

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

Supporting Activity

Recently Completed

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

Supporting Activity

Recently Completed

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

Supporting Activity

Recently Completed

Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences: Proposed Science Themes for NASA’s Fifth New Frontiers Mission

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed
Cover art for A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars.

Space Science Week

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress
Partial solar eclipse above the curvature of the Earth in the foreground.

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on the Physics of Ionospheres, Thermospheres, and Mesospheres

Other

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on the Physics of Magnetospheres

Other

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on the State of the Profession

Other

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on the Physics of the Sun and Heliosphere

Other

Completed

Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033: Panel on Space Weather Science and Applications

Other

Completed

Leveraging Commercial Space for Earth and Ocean Remote Sensing: A Dissemination Workshop

Workshop

Completed

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Space Weather Roundtable

Roundtable/Forum

In Progress

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

Other

Completed

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

Other

Completed
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