The 2015 Astrobiology Strategy identifies questions to guide astrobiology research in the lab, in the field, and in experiments flown on planetary science missions.
In preparing the 2015 Astrobiology Strategy, almost 200 members of the astrobiology community worked together to define goals and objectives for astrobiology research over the next decade. The community identified six major topics of research in the field today:
- Identifying abiotic sources of organic compounds
- Synthesis and function of macromolecules in the origin of life
- Early life and increasing complexity
- Co-evolution of life and the physical environment
- Identifying, exploring, and characterizing environments for habitability and biosignatures
- Constructing habitable worlds
The Strategy provides the Astrobiology Program with community input on Program research priorities. Given the fast pace of advances in astrobiology research, the 2015 Astrobiology Strategy will be reviewed every five years to ensure that the priorities are appropriate.
In addition to the Astrobiology Strategy, the Program receives input and guidance from relevant reports prepared by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) (e.g., the PSD Decadal Survey, “Vision and Voyages”) and from various advisory or community-based organizations (e.g., the Planetary Science Advisory Committee, the NASEM Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences, and the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group).