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 ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense2 Tour of the Solar System: A Transformative Decade of Exploration3 Priority Science Questions4 Question 1: Evolution of the Protoplanetary Disk5 Question 2: Accretion in the Outer Solar System6 Question 3: Origin of Earth and Inner Solar System Bodies7 Question 4: Impacts and Dynamics8 Question 5: Solid Body Interiors and Surfaces9 Question 6: Solid Body Atmospheres, Exospheres, Magnetospheres, and Climate Evolution10 Question 7: Giant Planet Structure and Evolution11 Question 8: Circumplanetary Systems12 Question 9: Insights from Terrestrial Life13 Question 10: Dynamic Habitability14 Question 11: Search for Life Elsewhere15 Question 12: Exoplanets16 State of the Profession17 Research and Analysis18 Planetary Defense: Defending Earth Through Applied Planetary Science19 Human Exploration20 Infrastructure for Planetary Science and Exploration21 Technology22 Recommended Program: 2023203223 The FutureAppendixesAppendix A: Letter of Request, Statement of Task, and Other GuidanceAppendix B: White Papers ReceivedAppendix C: Technical Risk and Cost Evaluation of Priority MissionsAppendix D: Missions Studied But Not Sent for TRACEAppendix E: Panel Missions Not Selected for Additional StudyAppendix F: Glossary and AcronymsAppendix G: Biographical Information for Committee Members