Accelerator mass spectrometry: Is the future bigger or smaller?

Since its inception in the late 1970s, accelerator mass spectrometry has become a powerful tool for measurement of trace amounts of natural radionuclides. In this paper, we review recent advancements in AMS and discuss future directions of this powerful technique. We highlight some recent developments, including the introduction of smaller accelerators, novel detection systems and the development of new analytical capabilities. We believe that the future prospects for AMS measurements are practically unlimited and that AMS has a vital role to play in the exploration of space, where radionuclide measurements are a key factor in the understanding of processes on other planets.