Skip to main content
Consensus Study Report
Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032
Prepublication

VIEW LARGER COVER

The next decade of planetary science and astrobiology holds tremendous promise. New research will expand our understanding of our solar system's origins, how planets form and evolve, under what conditions life can survive, and where to find potentially habitable environments in our solar system and beyond. Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032 highlights key science questions, identifies priority missions, and presents a comprehensive research strategy that includes both planetary defense and human exploration. This report also recommends ways to support the profession as well as the technologies and infrastructure needed to carry out the science.

RESOURCES AT A GLANCE

Video(s):

Public Briefing Video

Suggested Citation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26522.

Import this citation to:

Publication Info

800 pages | 8.5 x 11 | Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-309-47578-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/26522
Chapters skim
Front Matter i-xx
Summary 1-9
1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense 10-27
2 Tour of the Solar System: A Transformative Decade of Exploration 28-96
3 Priority Science Questions 97-101
4 Question 1: Evolution of the Protoplanetary Disk 102-129
5 Question 2: Accretion in the Outer Solar System 130-163
6 Question 3: Origin of Earth and Inner Solar System Bodies 164-191
7 Question 4: Impacts and Dynamics 192-218
8 Question 5: Solid Body Interiors and Surfaces 219-245
9 Question 6: Solid Body Atmospheres, Exospheres, Magnetospheres, and Climate Evolution 246-277
10 Question 7: Giant Planet Structure and Evolution 278-298
11 Question 8: Circumplanetary Systems 299-323
12 Question 9: Insights from Terrestrial Life 324-351
13 Question 10: Dynamic Habitability 352-381
14 Question 11: Search for Life Elsewhere 382-406
15 Question 12: Exoplanets 407-433
16 State of the Profession 434-463
17 Research and Analysis 464-494
18 Planetary Defense: Defending Earth through Applied Planetary Science 495-525
19 Human Exploration 526-544
20 Infrastructure for Planetary Science and Exploration 545-562
21 Technology 563-592
22 Recommended Program: 2023-2032 593-637
23 The Future 638-642
Appendixes 643-643
Appendix A: Letter of Request, Statement of Task, and Other Guidance 644-650
Appendix B: White Papers Received 651-673
Appendix C: Technical Risk and Cost Evaluation of Priority Missions 674-704
Appendix D: Missions Studied But Not Sent for TRACE 705-716
Appendix E: Panel Missions Not Selected for Additional Study 717-723
Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms 724-734
Appendix G: Biographies of Committee Members and Staff 735-761

What is skim?

The Chapter Skim search tool presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter. You may select key terms to highlight them within pages of each chapter.

Links

Videos

Public Briefing Video

Hear from the decadal survey co-chairs about the key recommendations and priorities from the report.

Copyright Information

The National Academies Press (NAP) has partnered with Copyright Clearance Center's Rightslink service to offer you a variety of options for reusing NAP content. Through Rightslink, you may request permission to reprint NAP content in another publication, course pack, secure website, or other media. Rightslink allows you to instantly obtain permission, pay related fees, and print a license directly from the NAP website. The complete terms and conditions of your reuse license can be found in the license agreement that will be made available to you during the online order process. To request permission through Rightslink you are required to create an account by filling out a simple online form. The following list describes license reuses offered by the National Academies Press (NAP) through Rightslink:

  • Republish text, tables, figures, or images in print
  • Post on a secure Intranet/Extranet website
  • Use in a PowerPoint Presentation
  • Distribute via CD-ROM
  • Photocopy

Click here to obtain permission for the above reuses. If you have questions or comments concerning the Rightslink service, please contact:

Rightslink Customer Care
Tel (toll free): 877/622-5543
Tel: 978/777-9929
E-mail: customercare@copyright.com
Web: http://www.rightslink.com

To request permission to distribute a PDF, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800-624-6242 for pricing.

To request permission to translate a book published by the National Academies Press or its imprint, the Joseph Henry Press, pleaseclick here to view more information.

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