NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) Update

Key Takeaways

• SBAG 35 scheduled virtual meeting June 8‑11, 2026.
• NASA ending funding for all eight planetary science assessment groups.
• SBAG will revise Terms of Reference with community input.
• Website migration from LPI hosting planned for uninterrupted access.
• SBAG remains focal point for consensus building in small-body research.

Pulse Analysis

The Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) announced that its 35th meeting will be held virtually between June 8 and June 11, 2026. As the principal forum for scientists studying asteroids, comets, and meteoroids, SBAG provides a rare venue for cross‑disciplinary dialogue, data sharing, and strategic planning. The virtual format expands participation, allowing researchers from universities, NASA centers, and industry to contribute without travel constraints. Organizers promise detailed agenda slots in the coming weeks, signaling a commitment to maintain momentum despite broader budgetary changes at NASA.

NASA’s recent decision to discontinue direct funding for all eight planetary‑science Assessment Groups has placed SBAG in a transitional phase. While the budget cut raises concerns about long‑term sustainability, the steering committee emphasizes that the scientific community’s input to the Science Mission Directorate remains valuable. In response, SBAG will undertake a comprehensive revision of its Terms of Reference, inviting comments from researchers, contractors, and international partners. This open‑door approach aims to clarify the group’s mandate, ensure transparent governance, and preserve its role as a consensus‑building mechanism.

Looking ahead, SBAG is also preparing to migrate its website from the current Lunar and Planetary Institute hosting to a more resilient platform. The move is intended to guarantee uninterrupted access to meeting minutes, data repositories, and policy documents for the global small‑body community. By safeguarding these digital assets, SBAG reinforces its position as the central hub for coordination among researchers, mission planners, and commercial stakeholders interested in asteroid mining and planetary defense. The combined effort to modernize governance and infrastructure signals a resilient future for small‑body science despite fiscal headwinds.