Astrobiology is the study of life's origins and the potential for life in the Universe.A comic book style illustration shows Clipper swooping down from the top right toward Europa. An image of Jupiter from the Juno mission is in the background. Europa is hand drawn and a cutaway at the surface shows the ocean underneath.The rocket lifts off on a blast of bright white and yellow to the left of frame. Smoke pours over the ground. A water tower and a few other structures are visible to the right amidst the smoke. The scene appears against a deep blue sky.A closeup of a section of the cover image for Issue 9. This image is cropped to show a series of planets into the distance that represent disciplines of astrobiology (Geology, Oceanography, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology and Atmospheric Science, etc.)
Request for Information (RFI): Development of NASA-DARES 2025: The NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration StrategyResponse Date: February 4, 202501/04
New Edition of Astrobiology Issue #4 – Missions to the Outer Solar SystemUpdated edition includes NASA’s Europa Clipper mission02/04
Europa Clipper Begins Journey to Jupiter’s Icy MoonLift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, Oct. 14, 202403/04
Astrobiology, Issue #9: Becoming an AstrobiologistA new issue of the Astrobiology Graphic History is now available!04/04
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This artist's concept depicts the stationary NASA Mars lander known by the acronym InSight at work studying the interior of Mars.
NASA Mars Orbiter Spots Retired InSight Lander to Study Dust Movement (NASA)Dec. 16, 2024
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NASA’s Webb Finds Planet-Forming Disks Lived Longer in Early Universe (NASA)Dec. 16, 2024
This artist impression shows the free-fall descent of the DAVINCI probe as it captures images and chemistry measurements of the deepest atmosphere of Venus for the first time.
NASA DAVINCI Mission’s Many ‘Firsts’ to Unlock Venus’ Hidden Secrets (NASA)Dec. 16, 2024
The northern half of Io is visible as half a disk against a black background. The moon is somewhat pinkish and the peaks of mountains are seen at the bottom of the image (from above) running across the moon's middle with other pockmarks and craters.
NASA’s Juno Mission Uncovers Heart of Jovian Moon’s Volcanic Rage (NASA)Dec. 12, 2024
An artist's concept of interstellar object 1I/2017 U1 ('Oumuamua) as it passed through the Solar System after its discovery in October 2017. Observations of 'Oumuamua indicate that it must be very elongated because of its dramatic variations in brightness
NASA Researchers Discover More Dark Comets (NASA)Dec. 10, 2024
Hubble as seen from Discovery during its second servicing mission.
NASA’s Hubble Celebrates Decade of Tracking Outer Planets (NASA)Dec. 9, 2024
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February 11–132025
EDIA Workshop for Leaders in Planetary Science
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February 25–282025
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July 14–182025
Progress in Understanding the Pluto System: 10 Years after Flyby
Laurel, MD, US
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January 172025
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January 312025
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Illustration of the Perseverance rover arriving on Mars.
NASA MISSIONSMars 2020

NASA's Mars 2020 mission is the next step in NASA's long-term robotic exploration of Mars. The rover Perseverance will provide important data relevant to astrobiology research, along with a vast amount of geological information about the landing site and the planet at large that will help put the astrobiological data into context.

Perseverance will not be looking for organisms living on Mars today. However, the rover will collect data that could be used to identify biosignatures of ancient microbial life.

What really sets this mission apart is that Perseverance will be collecting a suite of samples to be returned to Earth via a Mars Sample Return mission. The opportunity to bring back samples from another planet will allow our researchers to interrogate them with all of the sophistication and thoroughness that Earth-based instrumentation provides.

Learn more