A new quantitative habitability framework (QHF) has been developed in 2025 to guide the search for life beyond Earth. This open-source framework aids in identifying promising planets and interpreting potential biosignatures by modeling how different organisms might survive in diverse environments.
Developed by the NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) research coordinator network's Quantitative Habitability Science Working group (SWG), co-chaired by Dr. Daniel Apai and Dr. Rory Barnes, the QHF moves beyond general habitability. It assesses whether specific species or ecosystems could survive under known conditions, comparing computer models to calculate compatibility probability between an organism and its habitat.
Astrobiologists can utilize and expand this modular framework for current and future projects. The framework evaluates the compatibility of predicted habitat conditions with organisms' needs through Monte Carlo iterations, visualizing results in plots. This probabilistic assessment determines the viability of modeled organisms in modeled habitats. The open-source implementation of the framework includes examples such as comparing exoplanets, interpreting atmospheric O2 detection, and assessing subsurface habitability on Mars and ocean habitability on Europa.