The next phases of the quest for extraterrestrial life center on important breakthroughs in science and technology. A major one of these is the investigation of exoplanets, wherein cutting-edge instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the soon-to-be Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) provide hitherto unheard-of capacities for the detection and examination of exoplanet atmospheres in search of biosignatures. Additionally, direct imaging methods will advance, providing sharper images of far-off planets and possible indicators of habitability.

Rovers like Perseverance are still exploring Mars in search of ancient microbiological life, and next missions might carry samples from the planet back to Earth for in-depth examination. NASA and SpaceX have proposed human flights to Mars that might enable comprehensive on-site study.

Prospective targets are the icy moons Europa and Enceladus, where projects like Europa Clipper seek to investigate their subterranean seas, which are thought to be possible home for life.

Interdisciplinary study in astrobiology will progress by utilizing insights from planetary science, biology, and chemistry to comprehend the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Studying extremophiles—organisms that survive in the most extreme environments on Earth—as surrogates for extraterrestrial life is one aspect of this.

Improved radio telescopes and new technologies will help the hunt for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) by broadening the hunt for intelligent signals. In order to further the hunt for extraterrestrial life, international cooperation will be essential in order to combine resources and expertise.