NASA Astrobiology

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A volcanically active planet is shown in closeup at the left side of the image with glowing eruptions and lines of lava on the surface. To the right and in the distance is a faint blue glowing ball representing the more massive planet in the system.

Sixteen frames from Voyager 1's flyby of Jupiter in 1979 were merged to create this image. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is visible in the center. Jupiter's moon Europa can be seen in the foreground at the bottom left of the image.

The frame is a horizontal rainbow of color on a grid. Shadows of molecules can be seen through the light as well as the jagged peaks and troughs of spectral lines.

Fizzy Super Earths and Lava Worlds“Fizzy Super-Earths: Impacts of Magma Composition on the Bulk Density and Structure of Lava Worlds.” in The Astrophysical Journal.01/03

Identifying Hydrothermal Activity on Icy Ocean Worlds“Ethene-ethanol ratios as potential indicators of hydrothermal activity at Enceladus, Europa, and other icy ocean worlds.” In Icarus.02/03

NASA Raman Spectroscopic Database"The NASA Raman spectroscopic database: Ramdb version 1.00.” In Icarus.03/03

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October 2025The Abiotic Background as a Central Component of a Sample Safety Assessment Protocol for Sample Return

Teece, B. L., Beaty, D. W., Graham, H. V., McDonnell, G., Sherwood Lollar, B., Siljeström, S., … Mackelprang, R. (2025). The Abiotic Background as a Central Component of a Sample Safety Assessment Protocol for Sample Return. Astrobiology, 25(10), 671–693. doi:10.1177/15311074251382156

March 2024Venus cloud sample return concept for astrobiology

Agrawal, R., Seager, S., Petkowski, J. J., Carr, C. E., Buchanan, W. P., Bywaters, K., … Zacny, K. (2024). Venus cloud sample return concept for astrobiology. Advances in Space Research. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2024.03.065

December 2021Planning Implications Related to Sterilization-Sensitive Science Investigations Associated with Mars Sample Return (MSR)

Velbel, M. A., Cockell, C. S., Glavin, D. P., Marty, B., Regberg, A. B., Smith, A. L., … Zorzano, M-P. (2021). Planning Implications Related to Sterilization-Sensitive Science Investigations Associated with Mars Sample Return (MSR). Astrobiology. doi:10.1089/ast.2021.0113

April 2021Thermal metamorphism of CM chondrites: A dehydroxylation‐based peak‐temperature thermometer and implications for sample return from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu

Velbel, M. A., & Zolensky, M. E. (2021). Thermal metamorphism of CM chondrites: A dehydroxylation‐based peak‐temperature thermometer and implications for sample return from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. doi:10.1111/maps.13636

January 2020Outgassing from the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule: characterization and mitigation

Sandford, S. A., Bierhaus, E. B., Antreasian, P., Leonard, J., Materese, C. K., May, C. W., … Rizk, B. (2020). Outgassing from the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule: characterization and mitigation. Acta Astronautica, 166, 391–399. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.07.043

July 2019Updating Planetary Protection Considerations and Policies for Mars Sample Return

Uhran, B., Conley, C., & Andy Spry, J. (2019). Updating Planetary Protection Considerations and Policies for Mars Sample Return. Space Policy. doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2019.04.001

February 2012SARIM PLUS—sample return of comet 67P/CG and of interstellar matter

Srama, R., Krüger, H., Yamaguchi, T., Stephan, T., Burchell, M., Kearsley, A. T., … Sterken, V. (2012). Exp Astron, 33(2-3), 723–751. doi:10.1007/s10686-011-9285-7

August 2008Triple F—a comet nucleus sample return mission

Küppers, M., Keller, H. U., Kührt, E., A’Hearn, M. F., Altwegg, K., Bertrand, R., … Busemann, H. (2008). Exp Astron, 23(3), 809–847. doi:10.1007/s10686-008-9115-8

June 2008Science Priorities for Mars Sample Return

None (2008). Astrobiology, 8(3), 489–535. doi:10.1089/ast.2008.0759

May 2008Sample return of interstellar matter (SARIM)

Srama, R., Stephan, T., Grün, E., Pailer, N., Kearsley, A., Graps, A., … Laufer, R. (2008). Exp Astron, 23(1), 303–328. doi:10.1007/s10686-008-9088-7