Astrobiology is by definition a multidisciplinary field. During the past years, the Italian astrobiology community has obtained many science advancements well introduced within the international scenario. This has been possible also thanks to the numerous space missions in which Italy has participated, which have collected critical data for the definition and search of possible living conditions outside the planet Earth. The potential presence of biologically relevant organic compounds on planets and minor bodies could be directly related to the origin and evolution of the Solar System and to the initial conditions present in the interstellar molecular cloud from which it formed. In this scenario, the Italian Space Agency has promoted the definition of a national long-term astrobiology roadmap with the aim to create a common platform for the scientific communities working on different topics in order to create synergies and identify future opportunities for joint activities. This far-seeing initiative is strengthened by the need to optimize the Italian contribution to the international activities and programs in the next decade of research, exploration and discoveries in the field of Astrobiology. In preparing this long-standing strategy for scientific activities, the Roadmap identifies specific areas of interest for the community: analogue environments and extremophiles to understand processes underlying habitability; the development of more effective proxies for life detection (biosignatures); macromolecule synthesis, stability, and function in the context of plausible prebiotic conditions and environments; development of activities, including space missions, scientific experiments and theoretical modelling, devoted to the detection of life as well as to the determination of habitable conditions within worlds beyond the planet Earth. For each of these areas, the roadmap specifies several key scientific objectives with associated priorities and suggests ways to achieve them. In conclusion, this roadmap will drive the Italian astrobiology communities to overcome the major ongoing challenges that astrobiologists will tackle over the coming decade and to prepare the future exploration programs.
Roadmap for Astrobiology
Barbara Cavalazzi
2022
Abstract
Astrobiology is by definition a multidisciplinary field. During the past years, the Italian astrobiology community has obtained many science advancements well introduced within the international scenario. This has been possible also thanks to the numerous space missions in which Italy has participated, which have collected critical data for the definition and search of possible living conditions outside the planet Earth. The potential presence of biologically relevant organic compounds on planets and minor bodies could be directly related to the origin and evolution of the Solar System and to the initial conditions present in the interstellar molecular cloud from which it formed. In this scenario, the Italian Space Agency has promoted the definition of a national long-term astrobiology roadmap with the aim to create a common platform for the scientific communities working on different topics in order to create synergies and identify future opportunities for joint activities. This far-seeing initiative is strengthened by the need to optimize the Italian contribution to the international activities and programs in the next decade of research, exploration and discoveries in the field of Astrobiology. In preparing this long-standing strategy for scientific activities, the Roadmap identifies specific areas of interest for the community: analogue environments and extremophiles to understand processes underlying habitability; the development of more effective proxies for life detection (biosignatures); macromolecule synthesis, stability, and function in the context of plausible prebiotic conditions and environments; development of activities, including space missions, scientific experiments and theoretical modelling, devoted to the detection of life as well as to the determination of habitable conditions within worlds beyond the planet Earth. For each of these areas, the roadmap specifies several key scientific objectives with associated priorities and suggests ways to achieve them. In conclusion, this roadmap will drive the Italian astrobiology communities to overcome the major ongoing challenges that astrobiologists will tackle over the coming decade and to prepare the future exploration programs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
