What is the main focus of the study of astrobiology?

The study of astrobiology primarily focuses on the exploration of the possibility of life beyond Earth. This field combines aspects of biology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy to investigate the potential for life in various environments within the universe. Astrobiologists seek to understand not just how life originated on our planet but also the conditions that might support life elsewhere, including in extreme environments such as Mars, the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and exoplanets orbiting other stars.

By examining the fundamental building blocks of life and the conditions necessary for its existence, astrobiology aims to answer pivotal questions about the potential for extraterrestrial life and the universe's biological diversity. While the other options—studying the formation of stars, analyzing meteorite composition, and exploring rocket launch mechanics—are important aspects of astrophysics and aerospace sciences, they do not pertain directly to the central inquiries of astrobiology, which is exclusively concerned with biological potential beyond Earth.