Skip to main content

Life in the Universe An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology (2003) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

4. The Roles of Other Federal Agencies with Respect to Astrobiology
Pages 37-39

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 37...
... Nevertheless, many other federal agencies are interested in the origin, evolution, and destiny of life in the universe, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) , which does not have an explicit mission beyond the furthering of basic science and technology, and other "mission agencies." NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION The "basic science" efforts of the NASA program find a parallel in the basic science research of the NSF.
Read the entire page →
From page 38...
... NOAA already works closely with NASA. Recommendation In view of the diverse activities in basic science relevant to astrobiology that the National Science Foundation conducts, NASA should engage the NSF in detailed studies of the desirability of and the means by which the two agencies can create joint programs in astrobiology.
Read the entire page →
From page 39...
... The correlation between the timing of events in the paleontological, geological, and molecular/genomic records is providing insights into the role of individual proteins in modern life forms, including genes involved in disease. The understanding of the evolution of organisms is having an impact on our understanding of adaptation of infectious diseases to antibiotics, cancer to therapies, and organisms to environment.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • mission agencies
  • phylogenetic tree
  • sequence data
  • astrobiology roadmap
  • science relevant

  • primarily funded
  • excursions recorded
  • directly relates
  • evolutionary biology
  • genomics program

  • panels emphasize
  • research traineeship
  • mass extinctions
  • research relating
  • sequencing efforts

  • agencies creating
  • functional commitment
  • including genes
  • disciplines underpinning
  • create joint

  • directly relevant
  • mission beyond
  • sequencing program
  • climatic excursions
  • nasa astrobiologists

  • astrobiologists obtain
  • selecting teams
  • private funding
  • diverse activities
  • reductionist approaches


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.