FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing: Advances in the Search for Life

Original title: ADVANCES IN THE SEARCH FOR LIFE

January 1, 2017

NASA Space Exploration Exoplanets Science Policy Astrophysics

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing provides oversight on federal funding and strategic priorities for NASA's space exploration programs, which determine the scope of scientific research into planetary habitability.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

NASA

The agency's research priorities and scientific mission goals are subject to committee oversight and funding authorization.

Academic and Research Institutions

Researchers in astrophysics and geosciences rely on federal grants and mission data discussed during these hearings.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on April 26, 2017, to discuss scientific progress in identifying planets outside our solar system and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life. Experts from NASA, academia, and the SETI Institute provided testimony on current research capabilities and future exploration goals.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on April 26, 2017, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Over 3,400 exoplanets orbiting other stars have been confirmed as of April 2017.
The committee reviewed testimony from NASA officials and academic experts regarding the search for life.
The hearing included formal opening statements from Chairman Lamar Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson.
The session included a discussion period following witness testimony.
The committee received written statements and post-hearing answers from four primary expert witnesses.

Why It Matters

This hearing provides oversight on federal funding and strategic priorities for NASA's space exploration programs, which determine the scope of scientific research into planetary habitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

To review scientific advances in the search for life beyond Earth and to discuss the current state of research.

Who testified at the hearing?

Experts from NASA, the University of California San Diego, Pennsylvania State University, and the SETI Institute.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

temporal pattern100% confidence

Rapid Growth in Exoplanet Discovery

The hearing highlights a significant shift in scientific capability, noting that 25 years prior to 2017, no exoplanets were known, compared to over 3,400 in 2017.

NASA

Connected Entities

personLamar S. Smith“Chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”Map →

organizationCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology“House of Representatives committee overseeing the hearing”Map →

personThomas Zurbuchen“Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA”Map →

personJames Kasting“Professor of Geosciences, Penn State University”Map →

personAdam Burgasser“Professor of Physics, UC San Diego”Map →

personSeth Shostak“Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment15
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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