The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently released its 10-year agenda for planetary biology and astrobiology research. This Decadal Survey, as it is known, maps out the most important research topics to be explored over the next decade. This is the first time the NAS has ever released a survey of this magnitude for the field of astrobiology.

We recently had the chance to speak with Dr. Penelope Boston, chair of the committee that created the survey, to learn more about the survey and its implications. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation with Dr. Boston:

“The Decadal Survey is a roadmap for the field of astrobiology. It outlines the most important research questions and objectives for the next 10 years, and outlines specific ways in which the astrobiology community can work together to achieve them. I believe this survey will be instrumental in advancing our understanding of the origin and evolution of life in the universe.”

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source: Phys.org