Contemporary planetary science

The scientific goals of the U.S. planetary exploration program are summarized. It is pointed out that since the solar system is a particular result of the more general phenomenon of star formation, astronomical studies and planetary studies are complementary. The combination of astronomical and planetary studies is seen as promising to carry our understanding of the formation of stars and of the origin of the solar system to heights otherwise unobtainable. It is also noted that many of our ideas about the behavior of distant, exotic objects grow directly out of our experience with the solar system. It is also true that the broad planetary perspective engendered by investigations of the solar system significantly influences our perceptions about earth. Because U.S. activity in exploring the solar system has fallen to such a low level, it is no longer clear whether the technical integrity of outstanding spacecraft teams can be maintained. Large numbers of high-quality planetary research projects are being ended and scientific groups are being disbanded.