Journal profile · Astronomy & Astrophysics
Space Science Reviews
ISSN 0038-6308 · eISSN 1572-9672 · Springer Netherlands · NETHERLANDS · Bimonthly · Founded 1962
Space Science Reviews: CAS Zone 2 · Physics & Astronomy (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 9.67; hybrid open access; APC about USD 5,290; median 208 days to acceptance (88 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: moderate; 129 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Space Science Reviews is published by Springer Netherlands and is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics, Astro and Planetary Science and Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics, together about 47.4% of its articles. Its main subfields are Astronomy and Astrophysics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Space Science Reviews (SSRv) is an international journal on scientific space research. Its purpose is to provide a contemporary synthesis of the various branches of space research, with emphasis on scientific results and instruments in the fields of astrophysics, physics of planetary systems, solar physics, and physics of magnetospheres & interplanetary matter. In addition to Topical Collections and Invited Reviews, Space Science Reviews encourages the submission of unsolicited Review Articles and Special Communications. Special Communications are articles linked to an earlier topical volume/collection, report-type papers, or timely papers dealing with a strong space-science-technology combination (such papers summarize the science and technology of an instrument or mission in one paper). Proposals and white papers can form a good basis for a Special Communication when addressing the basic concepts or ideas, rather than e.g. a specific instrument or mission that is still in an early proposal phase and that may not be selected. The instrument or mission can be addressed as an example. Since it may take a decade or longer to the launch (and possibly an associated Topical Collection), Space Science Reviews thus provides the opportunity to publish basic concepts and ideas at an early stage. Space Science Reviews is aiming to broaden its scope by now also including other types of review articles, namely Perspective and Primer articles: Perspectives are scholarly reviews and discussions of the primary research literature that does not meet the criteria for a review article. This could be because the scope is too narrow, or because the piece is intended to provoke discussion of a controversial position, a speculative hypothesis, or alternative interpretations of existing work. Primers are short, authoritative review articles that explores the basics of a subject together with recent, cutting-edge research findings. They are intended to provide readers with both an introduction to a specific technology or methodology, as well as provide a guide for implementing it in their own research.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Astronomy & Astrophysics
Editor-in-chief Olivier WitassePublisher website
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United States 3, Netherlands 3, Austria 1 (7 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Solar and Space Plasma DynamicsPhysics and Astronomy17.1%
- Astro and Planetary SciencePhysics and Astronomy17%
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamicsPhysics and Astronomy13.3%
- Planetary Science and ExplorationPhysics and Astronomy8.6%
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studiesPhysics and Astronomy6.9%
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism StudiesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.6%
- Astrophysics and Star Formation StudiesPhysics and Astronomy3.3%
- Astrophysics and Cosmic PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy2.9%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: yes
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: yes
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
EI CompendexINSPECCASCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, Astrophysics Data System, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 9.67LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 9.8Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 10.4Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 13.5LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 2.5LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 3.12LetPub ·
- h-index
- 133LetPub ·
- h-index
- 229OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3,328OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 9.01OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 10.2%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 84.98%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 118LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 1,700,000Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 5,930 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70 | 65 | 100 |
| 2025 | 129 | 120 | 865 |
| 2024 | 94 | 81 | 1,674 |
| 2023 | 89 | 83 | 2,454 |
| 2022 | 73 | 66 | 1,949 |
| 2021 | 87 | 69 | 5,075 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
208 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 143 days – 271 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 20 days (89 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 229 days
- Sample
- 88 articles with submission and acceptance dates (220 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 4–8 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- ModerateLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 10 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 5,290 / EUR 4,290 / GBP 3,590 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers2, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Plagiarism
- AI use Generative AI Images
LLMs cannot be authors; AI-assisted copy editing need not be declared. Model summary
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
Competing interests must be disclosed. Model summary
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Data transparency requested. Model summary
All authors are requested to make sure that all data and materials as well as software application or custom code support their published claims and comply with field standards.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Space Science Reviews, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review
Reviewer suggestions and exclusions allowed. Model summary
Authors are welcome to suggest suitable reviewers and/or request the exclusion of certain individuals when they submit their manuscripts.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Plagiarism
Plagiarism screening software may be used. Model summary
the journal may use software to screen for plagiarism
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- Multi-Language
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1962
- ISSN
- 0038-6308
- Electronic ISSN
- 1572-9672
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Space Science Reviews
What CAS zone is Space Science Reviews in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Space Science Reviews is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Astronomy & Astrophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Space Science Reviews?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 9.67; CiteScore 13.5, h-index 229.
How long does peer review take at Space Science Reviews?
Based on the dates recorded on 88 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 208 days (interquartile range 143–271 days); authors report an average review time of 4–8 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Moderate”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Space Science Reviews?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Author–date; Suggested reviewers: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Space Science Reviews based?
Of the 7 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (3), Netherlands (3) and Austria (1). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Space Science Reviews?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Space Science Reviews is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists EI Compendex, INSPEC, CAS and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Space Science Reviews open access, and what is the APC?
Space Science Reviews is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 5,290.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .