spacescience

Space science refers to scientific investigations of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere, including the solar system, interplanetary space, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. It uses observations and experiments in space and from ground-based facilities to study physical processes under extreme conditions, test theories, and explore origins.

The field encompasses subfields such as astrophysics (study of objects and phenomena outside Earth's atmosphere), planetary science (composition, geology, atmospheres, and evolution of planets and moons), heliophysics (solar physics and its effects on the heliosphere and space weather), and astrobiology (conditions for life beyond Earth, though overlapping with planetary science). It also includes cosmology and high-energy astrophysics.

Methods include space missions (orbiters, landers, rovers, sample-return missions), telescopes (space-based like Hubble, JWST, Chandra; ground-based observatories), and in-situ measurements, spectroscopy, radar, and computational modeling. Data are shared through international archives and collaboration across agencies such as NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA, JAXA, ISRO.

Impact and challenges: Space science advances understanding of the universe, planetary formation, planetary habitability, and space weather forecasting; it drives technology, inspires society, and trains scientists and engineers. Challenges include funding cycles, international coordination, mission costs, and the management of large data sets; the field looks to continual improvements in instrumentation and international missions.