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From page 11... ... 1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense In spring 2011, when the last planetary decadal survey Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013–2022 was released, the New Horizons spacecraft was speeding toward Pluto, Europe's Rosetta was heading toward a rendezvous with a comet, Cassini was still orbiting Saturn, and the GRAIL, Curiosity, InSight, Perseverance, OSIRIS-REx, and Juno missions had not yet launched (see Figures 1-1 through 1-4) Read the entire page →
From page 12... ... 12 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE FIGURE 1-1 The descent stage of Mars 2020 hovers as the Perseverance rover (not visible) is lowered to the martian surface in 2021. Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 13 FIGURE 1-2 An artist's impression of the Juno spacecraft at Jupiter. Juno is currently studying Jupiter's interior, composition, and atmosphere. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... 14 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE FIGURE 1-3 The InSight spacecraft during final assembly. InSight has provided data on the internal structure of Mars via seismology. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 15 FIGURE 1-4 The New Horizons spacecraft during final preparation for launch at Kennedy Space Center in January 2006. New Horizons flew past Pluto and its large moon Charon in 2015, and then past 486958 Arrokoth, a Kuiper belt object, in 2019. Read the entire page →
From page 16... ... 16 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE Center and the Center for Matter under Extreme Conditions. Similarly, the massive gene-sequencing and computational capabilities of DOE's Genomic Science Program are directly relevant to aspects of astrobiology. Read the entire page →
From page 17... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 17 Relevant Activities in Other NASA Divisions and Directorates Planetary science activities at NASA are strongly coupled to the agency's other science programs in the Astrophysics, Heliophysics, and to a more limited extent, Earth Science and Biological and Physical Science divisions. Similarly, activities under way in other NASA directorates are of direct relevance to planetary science and astrobiology. Read the entire page →
From page 18... ... 18 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE and physical research are directly relevant to future activities such as the in situ utilization of planetary resources -- for example, extraction of oxygen from the martian atmosphere or ice mining on the Moon -- or the creation of long-lived life-support systems. Space Technology Mission Directorate NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate develops a wide range of technologies to support agency needs in the mid- to long-term. Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 19 FIGURE 1-6 Artist impression of the Cassini spacecraft against the backdrop of the ice plumes of Enceladus. The presence of liquid water below Enceladus's icy surface is of particular interest to astrobiologists. Read the entire page →
From page 20... ... 20 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE for studies of other planetary environments. A particularly relevant example involves contributions to astrobiology made by studies of hot and cold deep-sea vents and their associated biospheres. Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 21 With the emergence of a new and highly entrepreneurial commercial space sector in the United States, NASA is fundamentally changing the traditional landscape for implementing space missions. However, such pioneering efforts as NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program have not yet been fully adopted by other countries. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... 22 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE in Arms Regulations. The time and effort to resolve these and other issues can lead to cost and schedule growth. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 23 TABLE 1-1 Priority Mission Recommendations for 2013–2022 from the Vision and Voyages Decadal Survey Vision and Voyages Disposition Prior to This Recommendation Priority and Mission Type Decadal Survey Current Status Mars Astrobiology First priority large strategic Implemented by NASA as Currently collecting and Explorer-Cacher mission. Mars 2020/Perseverance. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... 24 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE FIGURE 1-7 The Perseverance rover on Mars. This mission is collecting samples for later return to Earth. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 25 • Dwarf planets in the asteroid and Kuiper belts; • Primitive solar system bodies (also called small bodies -- that is, the comets, asteroids, satellites of Mars, interplanetary dust, meteorites, Centaurs, Trojans, and Kuiper belt objects) ; • The abiotic sources of organic compounds in the solar system; • Origins of life and the coevolution of life and the physical environment; • Habitable environments in the solar system and, where appropriate, associated biosignatures; plus • All of the above as they relate to planetary systems around other stars. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 26 ORIGINS, WORLDS, AND LIFE TABLE 1-2 A Guide to Reading This Report Topic Primary Discussion Additional Discussion Recommendations Issues Related to Nine Priority Topics Identified in the Statement of Task 1. Overview of planetary science, astrobiology, and Chapter 1 n/a n/a planetary defense 2. Broad survey of the current state of knowledge Chapter 2 n/a n/a 3a. Compelling questions, goals, and challenges for Chapters 3 to 11 n/a n/a planetary science 3b. Compelling questions, goals, and challenges for Chapters 3 and Chapter 22 n/a astrobiology 12–14 3c. Compelling questions, goals, and challenges for Chapter 18 Chapter 22 Chapters 18 and 22 planetary defense 4a. Recommended research traceable to objectives and Chapters 4–15 Chapter 22 n/a goals 4b. Recommended missions traceable to objectives and Chapter 22 Appendix C Chapter 22 goals 5a. Comprehensive research strategy for planetary science, Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 astrobiology, and planetary defense 5b. Timing, cost, risk, and technical readiness of Chapter 22 Appendix C n/a recommended missions 6. Decision rules Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 7a. Human exploration Chapter 19 Chapter 22 Chapters 19 and 22 7b. International cooperation Chapter 1 n/a Chapter 20 8. Intra- and inter-agency collaboration Chapters 1 and Chapter 22 Chapters 19, 20, 18–21 21, and 22 9. State of the profession Chapter 16 Chapter 22 Chapters 16 and 22 Other Topics Discussed in the Report Apophis 2029 encounter Chapter 18 n/a Chapter 18 Arecibo Chapters 18 and 20 Chapter 22 Chapters 18, 20, and 22 Artemis program Chapter 19 Chapter 22 Chapters 19 and 22 Budgetary projections Chapter 22 n/a n/a Deep Space Network Chapter 19 n/a n/a Discovery program Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 Europa Clipper Chapter 22 n/a n/a Ground- and space-based telescopes Chapter 20 Chapter 18 and n/a Appendix E continues Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE, ASTROBIOLOGY, AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 27 TABLE 1-2 Continued Topic Primary Discussion Additional Discussion Recommendations International Mars Ice Mapper Chapter 22 Chapter 19 Chapter 22 Launch vehicles Chapter 20 Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Lunar Exploration and Discovery program Chapter 22 Chapter 19 Chapter 22 Mars Exploration program Chapter 22 Chapter 19 Chapter 22 Mars Sample Return Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 Mission studies, PMCS, and SDT Appendix C Appendix D n/a Mission studies, future Chapter 23 Chapter 22 n/a Mission studies, decadal survey Appendix C Appendixes D and E n/a New Frontiers program Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 NSF facilities and programs Chapter 20 Chapter 1 n/a Planetary Data System Chapter 17 Chapter 20 Chapter 17 Planetary radar facilities Chapter 18 Chapter 22 Chapters 18 and 22 Plutonium-238 Chapter 20 Chapter 22 Chapters 20 and 22 Research and analysis programs Chapter 17 Chapter 22 Chapters 17 and 22 Sample receiving and curation facilities Chapter 20 Chapter 22 Chapters 20 and 22 SIMPLEx program Chapter 22 n/a Chapter 22 Technology development Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapters 21 and 22 Technical risk and cost evaluation Appendix C Chapter 22 n/a White papers received Appendix B n/a n/a Multiple users and their diverse needs make for a long document and some necessary repetition. The survey committee is under no illusion that all readers will start at the beginning and work their way through to the very last page. Read the entire page →

From page 11...

... 1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense In spring 2011, when the last planetary decadal survey Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013–2022 was released, the New Horizons spacecraft was speeding toward Pluto, Europe's Rosetta was heading toward a rendezvous with a comet, Cassini was still orbiting Saturn, and the GRAIL, Curiosity, InSight, Perseverance, OSIRIS-REx, and Juno missions had not yet launched (see Figures 1-1 through 1-4)