Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit 2025 - Space Science: A Vital National Interest

Recorded at the 2025 Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2) at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., this panel explores the essential role of scientific discovery in shaping U.S. national priorities, advancing technology, and guiding the future of human space exploration. Moderated by Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, the conversation highlights the growing threats to space science funding and why continued investment is crucial for both planetary science and global leadership.

Panelists include James Green, chair of the Explore Mars, Inc. advisory board and former NASA chief scientist; James Garvin, chief scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Britney Schmidt, astrobiologist and associate professor of astronomy and earth & atmospheric science at Cornell University; and John Mather, Nobel Prize–winning astrophysicist and senior scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope.

This panel was part of H2M2 2025, hosted by Explore Mars, which convenes experts from around the world to build consensus and advocate for a collaborative, sustainable path to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.