Editor’s note: I just sent this to folks at NASA HQ and tweeted it at @Astrobiology
With regard to the changes in how @NASAScience_ – NASA Science Mission Directorate proposed to change the way it handles #Astrobiology. SMD reps at the @theNASciences meeting keep saying that NASA SMD will now spread astrobiology across all of the things @NASA SMD does. OK, Sounds groovy. One would assume that there is a detailed plan in place whereby this will be done. I’d like to see it – and I am rather certain the space science (Astrobiology) research community would too.
So – can NASA SMD or NASA PAO provide me with
- The document – guidance – directives – plans – advisory committee recommendations – mission requirements documents etc. wherein this distribution and incorporation about astrobiology across the SMD portfolio is going to be baselined;
- The specific SMD activities (missions, ground research etc.) that are required to consider these things;
- where (specifically) they incorporate Astrobiology in missions and research – past, present, future, proposed;
- A publication bibliography tagged to these specific areas where Astrobiology is part of the mix – data, results etc. – one that is linked and compatible with accepted scientific data systems (PubMed, Arxiv.org etc.);
- NASA plans over the long term to achieve real cross disciplinary research connections/collaborations between Astrobiology, Astrochemistry, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Planetary Geology, Heliophysics, etc.
- How NASA intends to blend all of 1-5 together to continue its various education and public outreach activities – and explain why some things it currently does will now be cancelled – and what will replace these cancelled activities.
Again, I assume that all of this is already in place so as to justify and implement the large changes NASA is implementing for its 30 year old Astrobiology research program. I’ll send this to SMD and PAO. Lets see what happens. FYI @NASAAdmin @NASASpox @NASAScience_ @theNASciences #IAC2026
