How Does Life Begin and Develop?
Objective
1
Sources of 0rganics on Earth
Objective
2
Origin of Life's Cellular Components
Objective
4
Genomic Clues to Evolution
Objective
5
Linking Planetary and Biological Evolution
Does Life Exist Elsewhere in the Universe?
Objective
7
The Extremes of Life
Objective
8
Past and Present Life on Mars
Objective
9
Life's Precursors and Habitats in the Outer Solar System
Objective
10
Natural Migration of Life
Objective
11
Origin of Habitable Planets
Objective
12
Effects of Climate and Geology on Habitability
Objective
13
Extrasolar Biomarkers
What is Life's Future on Earth
and Beyond?
Objective
14
Ecosystem Response to Rapid Environmental Change
Objective
15
Earth's Future Habitability
Objective
16
Bringing Life with Us beyond Earth
Objective
17
Planetary Protection
Question: How Does Life Begin and Develop?
Sources of Organics on Earth
Objective 1: Determine whether the atmosphere of the early Earth, hydrothermal systems or exogenous matter were significant sources of organic matter.
Origin of Life's Cellular Components
Objective 2: Develop and test plausible pathways by which ancient counterparts of membrane systems, proteins and nucleic acids were synthesized from simpler precursors and assembled into protocells.
Models for Life
Objective 3: Replicating, catalytic systems capable of evolution, and construct laboratory models of metabolism in primitive living systems.
Genomic Clues to Evolution
Objective 4: Expand and interpret the genomic database of a select group of key microorganisms in order to reveal the history and dynamics of evolution.
Linking Planetary and Biological Evolution
Objective 5: Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment.
Microbial Ecology
Objective 6: Define how ecophysiological processes structure microbial communities, influence their adaptation and evolution, and affect their detection on other planets.
Question: Does Life Exist Elsewhere in the Universe?
The Extremes of Life
Objective 7: Identify the environmental limits for life by examining biological adaptations to extremes in environmental conditions.
Past and Present Life on Mars
Objective 8: Search for evidence of ancient climates, extinct life and potential habitats for extant life on Mars.
Life's Precursors and Habitats in the Outer Solar System
Objective 9: Determine the presence of life's chemical precursors and potential habitats for life in the outer solar system.
Natural Migration of Life
Objective 10: Understand the natural processes by which life can migrate from one world to another. Are we alone in the Universe?
Origin of Habitable Planets
Objective 11: Determine (theoretically and empirically) the ultimate outcome of the planet-forming process around other stars, especially the habitable ones.
Effects of Climate and Geology on Habitability
Objective 12: Define climatological and geological effects upon the limits of habitable zones around the Sun and other stars to help define the frequency of habitable planets in the universe.
Extrasolar Biomarkers
Objective 13: Define an array of astronomically detectable spectroscopic features that indicate habitable conditions and/or the presence of life on an extrasolar planet.
Question:
What is Life's Future on Earth and Beyond?
Ecosystem Response to Rapid Environmental Change
Objective 14: Determine the resilience of local and global ecosystems through their response to natural and human-induced disturbances.
Earth's Future Habitability
Objective 15: Model the future habitability of Earth by examining the interactions between the biosphere and the chemistry and radiation balance of the atmosphere.
Bringing Life with Us beyond Earth
Objective 16: Understand the human-directed processes by which life can migrate from one world to another.
Planetary Protection
Objective 17: Refine planetary protection guidelines and develop protection technology for human and robotic missions.