The Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023–2032 is now accepting white papers. White papers can either be topical and focus on a single research area, scientific investigation, or experiment, or be for research campaigns that address broad or large-scale goals and can span multiple topics or research disciplines. Of particular interest is transformative research for ideas, discoveries, or tools that radically change our understanding of an important existing scientific or engineering concept or that lead to the creation of a new paradigm or field of science or engineering.
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has released this call for white papers, and the white papers will contribute to the development of their report for the next Decadal Survey on Life and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023-2032. These white papers serve as the input from the scientific community into the decadal survey. The report will be used by the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide the framework for the vision, priorities, and strategic plan and budget for NASA’s research efforts in the area of biological and physical sciences in reduced gravity environments.
The call for 2- to 5-page white papers have the following due dates:
- Topical white papers should be received by October 31, 2021.
- Research Campaign white papers should be received by December 23, 2021.
Information about past microgravity materials science research conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may be found at A Researcher’s Guide to Microgravity Materials Research.
The most recent decadal survey was entitled “Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era,” which was subsequently followed by “A Midterm Assessment of Implementation of the Decadal Survey on Life and Physical Sciences Research at NASA.”