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 Contents

• Front Matter
• Summary
• 1 Introduction to Planetary Science, Astrobiology, and Planetary Defense
• 2 Tour of the Solar System: A Transformative Decade of Exploration
• 3 Priority Science Questions
• 4 Question 1: Evolution of the Protoplanetary Disk
• 5 Question 2: Accretion in the Outer Solar System
• 6 Question 3: Origin of Earth and Inner Solar System Bodies
• 7 Question 4: Impacts and Dynamics
• 8 Question 5: Solid Body Interiors and Surfaces
• 9 Question 6: Solid Body Atmospheres, Exospheres, Magnetospheres, and Climate Evolution
• 10 Question 7: Giant Planet Structure and Evolution
• 11 Question 8: Circumplanetary Systems
• 12 Question 9: Insights from Terrestrial Life
• 13 Question 10: Dynamic Habitability
• 14 Question 11: Search for Life Elsewhere
• 15 Question 12: Exoplanets
• 16 State of the Profession
• 17 Research and Analysis
• 18 Planetary Defense: Defending Earth Through Applied Planetary Science
• 19 Human Exploration
• 20 Infrastructure for Planetary Science and Exploration
• 21 Technology
• 22 Recommended Program: 20232032
• 23 The Future
• Appendixes
• Appendix A: Letter of Request, Statement of Task, and Other Guidance
• Appendix B: White Papers Received
• Appendix C: Technical Risk and Cost Evaluation of Priority Missions
• Appendix D: Missions Studied But Not Sent for TRACE
• Appendix E: Panel Missions Not Selected for Additional Study
• Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms
• Appendix G: Biographical Information for Committee Members
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