The Big Questions
At the beginning of the 21st century, we stand at a unique time in our exploration of the heavens. The exploratory voyages of the next few decades have the potential-within our lifetimes-to answer age-old questions about how life begins, whether life exists elsewhere, and how we could live out there.
NASA has defined a set of space and Earth Science questions that can best be addressed using the Agency’s unique capabilities. NASA works with the broader scientific community, considers national initiatives, and the results of decade-long surveys by the National Research Council in defining these questions.
See also the Science Strategy section for more information about how NASA Science is pursuing these questions.
-
Planets Questions:
- How did the sun's family of planets and minor bodies originate?
- How did the solar system evolve to its current diverse state?
- How did life begin and evolve on Earth, and has it evolved elsewhere in the Solar System?
- What are the characteristics of the Solar System that lead to the origins of life?
-
Astrophysics Questions:
- What are the origin, evolution and fate of the Universe?
- How do planets, stars, galaxies and cosmic structure come into being?
- When and how did the elements of life in the Universe arise?
- Is there life elsewhere?
-
Earth Questions:
- How is the global earth system changing?
- What are the primary forcings of the Earth system?
- How does the earth system respond to natural and human-induced changes?
- What are the consequences of change in the earth system for human civilization?
- How will the Earth system change in the future?
-
Heliophysics Questions:
- How does solar variability affect human society, technological systems and the habitability of planets?
- What are the hazards and resources in the Solar System environment that will affect the extension of human presence in space?
- How and why does the Sun vary and what are the consequences?
- What are the fundamental physical processes of the space environment?