Astrobiology: The First Decade
- Paper number
IAC-05-A3.2.B.08
- Author
Dr. Scott Hubbard, SETI Institute, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Astrobiology, the ten year old multidisciplinary science dedicated to the study of life in the universe, has had a profound effect on space exploration world wide. Defined and initially advocated at NASA Ames Research Center a decade ago, the field has gained international status and represents the scientific heart of the new NASA Vision for Space Exploration. This paper traces the original impetus for defining the field, its decade long history, and its current status. The NASA Astrobiology Institute is described along with the Astrobiology Science Conference, the major bi-annual international meeting that serves the field. Major science results and advances are discussed. The influence of the field on research, missions, road maps and policy ranging from early Earth studies, NASA’s Mars Exploration Program strategy of “Follow the Water”, and NASA’s vision and mission statements to current exploration strategies world-wide, is demonstrated. The US Vision for Space Exploration is presented in the context of Astrobiology.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-A3.2.B.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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