An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars

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Size: 130 pages, 8 1/2 x 11

Publication Year:2007

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PAPERBACK ISBN-10: 0-309-10851-9 ISBN-13: 978-0-309-10851-5	$32.75	Add to Cart

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Committee on an Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars, National Research Council
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Three recent developments have greatly increased interest in the search for life on Mars. The first is new information about the Martian environment including evidence of a watery past and the possibility of atmospheric methane. The second is ...
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Table of Contents
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Front Matter	i-xii
Executive Summary	1-10	(skim)
1 Introduction	11-18	(skim)
2 The Present State of Knowledge About Mars and Possible Life	19-40	(skim)
3 Biosignatures and Abiotic Chemistry	41-56	(skim)
4 Characteristics of Sites for Astrobiological Investigation	57-68	(skim)
5 Methodologies for Advancing Astrobiology	69-84	(skim)
6 Astrobiological Assessment of Current Mars Mission Archictecture	85-94	(skim)
7 Planetary Protection for Mars Missions	95-98	(skim)
8 Findings and Recommendations	99-108	(skim)
Appendix A Martian Features Mentioned in Text	109-112	(skim)
Appendix B Glossary	113-116	(skim)
Appendix C Objectives for Developing a Further Understanding of Biosignatures	117-118	(skim)

Description

Three recent developments have greatly increased interest in the search for life on Mars. The first is new information about the Martian environment including evidence of a watery past and the possibility of atmospheric methane. The second is the possibility of microbial viability on Mars. Finally, the Vision for Space Exploration initiative included an explicit directive to search for the evidence of life on Mars. These scientific and political developments led NASA to request the NRC s assistance in formulating an up-to-date integrated astrobiology strategy for Mars exploration. Among other topics, this report presents a review of current knowledge about possible life on Mars; an astrobiological assessment of current Mars missions; a review of Mars-mission planetary protection; and findings and recommendations. The report notes that the greatest increase in understanding of Mars will come from the collection and return to Earth of a well-chosen suite of Martian surface materials.

An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars

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