Why Astrobiology is Now Getting Funding

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1. Scientific Discoveries: Less Skepticism, More Excitement
   
   • Discovery of planets around other stars allows that life may be possible outside of our solar system.
   • Studies of galaxies indicate that solar system formation may be a common occurence.
   • Life has been found in very extreme environments on the Earth - at high temperaures under high pressure, in very salty and cold water, and at very high acidities - suggesting that life could have developed under such conditions on other planets (or moons).
   • Evidence of liquid water has been found both in our solar system on Jupiter's moon Europa and perhaps beneath the surface of Mars. Liquid water has also been found in orbit around another star. Liquid water is believed to be essential for the development of life.
   • Many technological advancements have allowed scientists to expand their range of studies and allowed them to test some predictions concerning Astrobiological theories.
   
2. Increase in International Interdisciplinary Research
   • In 1996 NASA established a Specialized Center for Research and Training (NSCORT) in Exobiology. This brought together 4 research institutions in the US - the University of California, San Diego; the Scripps Research Institute; the Scripps Institute of Oceanography; and the Salk Institute of Biological Studies - encouraging collaboration between scientists at each institution.
   • Work on the International Space Station shows that international research is possible.
   • Development of genetics and molecular biology demonstrates the wide acceptance of the idea that biology springs from physics and chemistry.
3. Development of Technology
   • Ultraviolet and infrared observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope, though originally designed with other subjects in mind, have done much to further research in Astrobiology.
   • All technologies designed to further explore the planet Mars has benefitted Astrobiology.
   • Observatories are being planned to detect the chemical signatures of atmospheres around other planets to determine if they may harbor life.
   • Many developments of robots and robotic technology may be useful for unmanned explorations of Mars and Europa.
   
4. Testable Predictions
   • The chemicals necessary for life may have been brought to Earth by comets and meteorites. Scientists will soon be able to drill inside of a comet to see what sorts of chemicals are present there.
   • Scientists believe there is liquid water underneath the icy surface of Europa and beneath the Martian surface. Mission are being planned to both of these places to search for the presence of water.

Astrobiology gets its major funding from NASA in the United States, though a new program is being developed in Europe called Aurora. Though the questions of Astrobiology stretch back far into the past and science has been done in the field for most of the century, Astrobiology as a serious science - and one recognized by the public - did not develop until it first received serious funding. As this funding comes from NASA, the recent history of Astrobiology is the story of Astrobiology at NASA.