Origins, Worlds, and Life

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.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense
2 Tour of the Solar System: A Transformative Decade of Exploration
3 Priority Science Questions
4 Question 1: Evolution of the Protoplanetary Disk
5 Question 2: Accretion in the Outer Solar System
6 Question 3: Origin of Earth and Inner Solar System Bodies
7 Question 4: Impacts and Dynamics
8 Question 5: Solid Body Interiors and Surfaces
9 Question 6: Solid Body Atmospheres, Exospheres, Magnetospheres, and Climate Evolution
10 Question 7: Giant Planet Structure and Evolution
11 Question 8: Circumplanetary Systems
12 Question 9: Insights from Terrestrial Life
13 Question 10: Dynamic Habitability
14 Question 11: Search for Life Elsewhere
15 Question 12: Exoplanets
16 State of the Profession
17 Research and Analysis
18 Planetary Defense: Defending Earth Through Applied Planetary Science
19 Human Exploration
20 Infrastructure for Planetary Science and Exploration
21 Technology
22 Recommended Program: 20232032
23 The Future
Appendixes
Appendix A: Letter of Request, Statement of Task, and Other Guidance
Appendix B: White Papers Received
Appendix C: Technical Risk and Cost Evaluation of Priority Missions
Appendix D: Missions Studied But Not Sent for TRACE
Appendix E: Panel Missions Not Selected for Additional Study
Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms
Appendix G: Biographical Information for Committee Members