The Space Science Decadal Surveys: Lessons Learned and Best Practices (2015)

1. Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system.

2. Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system.

3. Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

a. Determine the origins of the Sun's activity and predict the variations of the space environment. (1, 3)

b. Determine the dynamics and coupling of Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, and atmosphere and their response to solar and terrestrial inputs. (2, 3)

c. Determine the interaction of the Sun with the solar system and the interstellar medium. (1, 2)

d. Discover and characterize fundamental processes that occur both within the heliosphere and throughout the universe. (1, 2)

1. Explore and observe the objects in the solar system to understand how they formed and evolve.

2. Advance the understanding of how the chemical and physical processes in our solar system operate, interact and evolve.

3. Explore and find locations where life could have existed or could exist today.

4. Improve our understanding of the origin and evolution of life on Earth to guide our search for life elsewhere.

5. Identify and characterize objects in the solar system that pose threats to Earth, or offer resources for human exploration.

a. Building New Worlds—advance the understanding of solar system beginnings (1, 2)

b. Planetary Habitats—search for the requirements for life (3, 4)

c. Workings of Solar Systems—reveal planetary processes through time (1, 2, 5)

1. Probe the origin and destiny of our universe, including the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter and gravity.

2. Explore the origin and evolution of the galaxies, stars and planets that make up our universe.

3. Discover and study planets around other stars, and explore whether they could harbor life.

a. Search for the first stars, galaxies, and black holes (1, 2)

b. Seek nearby habitable planets (3)

c. Advance understanding of the fundamental physics of the universe (1, 2)

1. Advance the understanding of changes in the Earth's radiation balance, air quality, and the ozone layer that result from changes in atmospheric composition.

2. Improve the capability to predict weather and extreme weather events.

3. Detect and predict changes in Earth's ecological and chemical cycles, including land cover, biodiversity, and the global carbon cycle.

4. Enable better assessment and management of water quality and quantity to accurately predict how the global water cycle evolves in response to climate change.

5. Improve the ability to predict climate changes by better understanding the roles and interactions of the ocean, atmosphere, land, and ice in the climate system.

6. Characterize the dynamics of Earth's surface and interior, improving the capability to assess and respond to natural hazards and extreme events.

7. Further the use of Earth system science research to inform decisions and provide benefits to society.

a. Understand the complex, changing planet on which we live, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. (3, 5, 6, 7)

b. Revitalize the nation's research satellite system, providing near-term measurements to advance science, underpin policy, and expand applications and societal benefits (5)

c. Advance climate research, multiply applications using the full set of available (NASA and non-NASA) satellite measurements for direct societal benefit, and develop/mature technologies required for the next generations of Earth observing missions* (1, 2, 4)