Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans Archives

Continued Confusion Over Astrobiology Funding by NASA

by Keith CowingApril 5, 2006June 27, 2026

Editor’s note: What follows below is the strange sequence of steps NASA Headquarters has decided to take with regard to funding for NASA’s Astrobiology Program. In a nutshell, NASA officials […]

Astrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Policy, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

Astrobiology Serves NASA and The National Interest – Statement Prepared by Principal Investigators of the NASA Astrobiology Institute

by Keith CowingMarch 26, 2006June 23, 2024

Astrobiology is the interdisciplinary study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth and in the universe. It melds the understanding of life on Earth, the nature […]

Astrobiology (general), Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans

International Journal of Astrobiology Vol. 5 Issue 01 Now Online

by Keith CowingJanuary 15, 2006

Nanophase iron oxides as a key ultraviolet sunscreen for ancient photosynthetic microbes, International Journal of Astrobiology How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere?, International Journal of Astrobiology The sulphur dilemma: are […]

Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

NASA MEPAG Report: Science Analysis of the November 3, 2005 Version of the Draft Mars Exploration Program Plan

by Keith CowingJanuary 15, 2006June 23, 2024

Prepared by the MEPAG ‘2005 Mars Program Plan Science Analysis Group’

The Zöe rover in the Atacama desert. The 1-m autonomous drill is visible on her deck. The Life in the Atacama project represented the first time an autonomous drill was used during rover operations, and provided key operational and scientific information about the search for biosignatures that is planned starting in 2020 with NASA’s Mars 2020 mission and ESA’s ExoMars. Photo: David Wettergreen, Carnegie Mellon University, Robotics Institute: Life in the Atacama Project - Funded by the NASA ASTEP Program (2012-2015).

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors

The Zöe Rover: Robotic Astrobiology Expedition Yields Significant Science Findings

by Keith CowingMarch 16, 2005June 23, 2024

A group of scientists announced today that they identified habitats and microbial life using a rover in Chile’s arid Atacama desert, one of the harshest environments on Earth, and that […]

In 1992 in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas, replicas of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria were constructed, crewed by volunteers and sailed across the Atlantic to reenact this incredible voyage of exploration. In June 1992 the replica Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria passed the launch pads of the Kennedy Space Center. -- NASA

Press Release

NASA Administrator’s Symposium Examines Exploration and Risk

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2004June 27, 2026

Have you ever been into space, in a research submarine, or been a part of a remote polar research base? Whether it’s exploring the depths of our oceans or reaching […]

Astrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

NASA Astrobiology 2003 Roadmap

by Keith CowingMay 21, 2003May 21, 2025

Astrobiology is the study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It requires fundamental concepts of life and habitable environments that will help us to […]

Astrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

Life in the Universe – An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology

by Keith CowingJanuary 1, 2003April 19, 2026

National Research Council (US) Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life.Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2003.ISBN-10: 0-309-08496-2Original open access posting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220844/ on PubMed Executive Summary The past decade […]