Space Studies Board Annual Report 2007 (2008) / Chapter Skim
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5.2 An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars
5.2 An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars
Pages 44-50
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From page 44... ...
Against this backdrop, NASA's Science Mission Directorate requested the Space Studies Board's assistance in developing an up-to-date integrated astrobiology strategy for Mars exploration that brings together all the threads of this diverse topic into a single source for science mission planning. In particular, NASA asked that the strategy developed by the Committee on an Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars address the following topics: • he characteristics of potential targets for Mars exploration particularly suited for elucidating the prebiotic T and possibly biotic history of Mars, and methods for identifying these targets; • catalog of biosignatures that reflect fundamental and universal characteristics of life (i.e., not limited to A an Earth-centric perspective)
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From page 45... ...
Although it is not the only possible emphasis for the Mars program, astrobiology provides a scientifically engaging and broad approach that brings together multiple disciplines to address an important set of scientific questions that are also of tremendous interest to the public.
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From page 46... ...
The astrobiology science goals for the exploration of Mars extend beyond the search for present and past life to encompass an understanding of the geological and environmental context that determines planetary habitability; habitability is defined as a general term referring to the potential of an environment (past or present) to support microbial life of any kind.
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From page 47... ...
Useful science analysis of martian surface samples can be carried out either in situ on the martian surface or in terrestrial laboratories with samples returned to Earth. Although in situ missions have many advantages, sample return offers the opportunity to carry out many more analyses on a sample than can be done in situ, to follow up exciting measurements with additional measurements that had not previously been anticipated, and to make measurements or observations using instruments that are not amenable to being accommodated on a lander or rover mission or that were not available at the time of mission development.
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From page 48... ...
In other words, organic analysis is likely to provide a more robust way to detect life than imaging technologies, mineral assemblages, isotopic measurements, or any one other single technique. This is the case because, on Earth, the patterns of biogenic c arbon compounds reflect organized polymerization of smaller subunits, or precursors, and comprise mixtures with a limited range of atomic spatial arrangements very different from those made by abiological processes.
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From page 49... ...
Currently operating and planned Mars missions all are, or will be, returning scientific data that directly address astrobiology goals in substantive ways. Thus, if astrobiologists are to advance their science goals for the exploration of Mars, they must work with NASA to ensure that the upcoming missions proceed as scheduled, and then take advantage of the scientific data these spacecraft will collect.
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From page 50... ...
Recommendation. If it is not feasible to proceed directly toward sample return, then a more gradual approach should be implemented that involves sample caching on all surface missions that follow the Mars Science Laboratory, in a way that would prepare for a relatively early return of samples to Earth.
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