NASA DARES Task Force 1 focus areas and workshop recordings

The NASA Astrobiology Program selected 15 members for Task Force 1 of the 2025 NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (NASA-DARES). In response to 130 community whitepapers submitted to a Request for Information, Task Force 1 identified nine major focus areas.

These focus areas were refined at a community workshop in May 2025 and further refined by the community in phase 3 of NASA-DARES. Protometabolism and Synthesis/Function of Macromolecules in Planetary Environments; Abiotic Organic Production and Chemical Evolution within Planetary Environments; Co-Evolution of Biospheres, Worlds, and Planetary Systems; Comparative Planetology to Understand Habitability; Detecting Signs of Living Environments and Living Worlds; Astrobiology-Focused Mission Approaches and Technology Development; Investment in Astrobiology Physical and Digital Architecture; Workforce and Early Career Support; Astrobiology in Society.

These are the archival decks presented at the RFI Findings workshop.

nasa-dares, task force, astrobiology, protometabolism, macromolecules, abiotic organics, chemical evolution, comparative planetology, detecting life, mission technology