Space science is a multi-disciplinary scientific and technology area to investigate the fundamental processes and natural laws of physics, chemistry and life in solar-terrestrial space, solar system and the universe, using space infrastructure as the main working platform. This paper reviews the major strategic activities, research progresses and new space infrastructures of space science in 2017. The contents include President Trump re-established National Space Council, the Luxembourg parliament adopted the draft law on the exploration and use of space resources, space infrastructures assisted discovery of gravitational waves produced by merging of neutron stars, China achieved a breakthrough in space quantum technology, DAMPE got high-precision measurement results of the electron energy spectrum, Cassini spacecraft ended its historic exploration of Saturn, and the lunch of the first ever neutron-star mission.

space science  /  research hotspots in 2017  /  development strategy