Decadal Survey Archives - Astrobiology

Example Uranus orbit insertion outside the zeta ring. Uranus orbit insertion maneuver traverses Uranus’s ring plane in the epsilon-ν ring gap (left). Uranus orbit insertion (UOI) burn (1.62 hr duration, 1331 m s−1) as viewed from Earth (right). While this example occurs in full view of ground stations, this is not a feature of all UOI geometries, where some portion of the burn is typically occulted with respect to Earth. Uranus’s orbital velocity vector is indicated for reference. Reproduced from D. Ellison et al. (2025).

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Ice Giant, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Uranus

Uranus Orbiter and Probe: Mission Challenges and Concept Updates Since the Origins, Worlds, and Life Decadal Survey

by Keith CowingJune 14, 2026June 14, 2026

Origins, Worlds, and Life: Planetary Science and Astrobiology in the Next Decade identified a Uranus Orbiter and Probe as the highest-priority strategic mission for the decade 2023–2032, as it enables […]

This zoomed-in image of Uranus, captured by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) Feb. 6, 2023, reveals stunning views of the planet’s rings. The planet displays a blue hue in this representative-color image, made by combining data from two filters (F140M, F300M) at 1.4 and 3.0 microns, which are shown here as blue and orange, respectively Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI. Image processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Ice Giant, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Uranus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Uranus Study Report: Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) Workshop

by Keith CowingDecember 5, 2024May 12, 2025

Determining the internal structure of Uranus is a key objective for planetary science. Knowledge of Uranus’s bulk composition and the distribution of elements is crucial to understanding its origin and […]

An artist’s impression of Uranus and its five largest moons (innermost to outermost) Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Mike Yakovlev

Ariel, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Miranda, Oberon, Status Report, Titania, Umbriel, Uranus

The Astrobiological Potential of the Uranian Moon System

by Keith CowingAugust 27, 2024August 27, 2024

The 2023-2032 Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey prioritized the Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) mission concept as the next priority flagship mission. The UOP concept includes scientific studies of […]

HZ and planetary orbits for eight of the systems in our sample. -- astro-ph.EP

Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Dynamical Viability Assessment for Habitable Worlds Observatory Targets

by Keith CowingAugust 2, 2024August 2, 2024

Exoplanetary science is increasingly prioritizing efforts toward direct imaging of planetary systems, with emphasis on those that may enable the detection and characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets.

Habitable Worlds Observatory -- NASA

Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Setting The Stage For The Search For Life With The Habitable Worlds Observatory: Properties Of 164 Promising Planet Survey Targets

by Keith CowingJanuary 9, 2024September 18, 2025

The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020) has recommended that NASA realize a large IR/O/UV space telescope optimized for high-contrast imaging and spectroscopy of ~25 exo-Earths and transformative […]

Space Biology conducted aboard the International Space Station

Analog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Gravitational Biology, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations

Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Sciences Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032

by Keith CowingSeptember 12, 2023September 12, 2023

If the U.S. is to continue to lead in space exploration and reap the benefits it brings to society, the nation must substantially increase its investment in NASA’s Division of […]

space life science

Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrobiology (general), Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Space Life Science

Thriving in Space: Decadal Survey for the Biological and Physical Sciences in Space Public Release

by Keith CowingAugust 23, 2023August 23, 2023

Research in Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (BPS) provides the critical scientific and technological foundations that make space exploration possible. As humanity looks towards the Moon and Mars for […]