Keith Cowing

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Sample Return, Status Report

The Antarctic Dry Valley Lakes: Relevance To Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 1, 1989June 13, 2026

The similarity of the early environments of Mars and Earth, and the biological evolution which occurred on early Earth, motivates exobiologists to seriously consider the possibility of an early Martian […]

Astrobiology (general), Conferences and Meetings, People Of Astrobiology, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

Exobiology In Earth Orbit

by Keith CowingJanuary 1, 1989July 27, 2025

NASA SP-500January 1989The results of science workshops held at NASA Ames Research Center

Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Space Stations

Orbiting Quarantine Facility. The Antaeus Report (NASA-SP-454 – 1981)

by Keith CowingJanuary 1, 1981October 18, 2022

A systems design study group jointly sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education, Stanford University and NASA’s Ames Research Center, was requested to develop a design for an orbiting […]

Astrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Policy, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, SETI & Technosignatures

Hearing: Possibility Of Intelligent Life Elsewhere In The Universe [1977 Revision]

by Keith CowingOctober 1, 1977June 16, 2026

Prepared for the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth Congress, first session, by the Science Policy research Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. Full text […]

The Viking 1 Lander sampling arm created a number of deep trenches as part of the surface composition and biology experiments on Mars. The digging tool on the sampling arm (at lower center) could scoop up samples of material and deposit them into the appropriate experiment. Some holes were dug deeper to study soil which was not affected by solar radiation and weathering. The trenches in this ESE looking image are in the "Sandy Flats" area of the landing site at Chryse Planitia. The boom holding the meteorology sensors is at left. -- NASA

Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Viking 1 Examines Martian Soil

by Keith CowingFebruary 10, 1977December 23, 2023

Operations have begun at the Viking landing site to dig foot-deep trench in the Martian soil and distribute samples to three instruments.

Jupiter

Particles, Environments And Possible Ecologies In The Jovian Atmosphere

by Keith CowingMay 1, 1976July 3, 2026

The eddy diffusion coefficient is estimated as a function of altitude, separately for the Jovian troposphere and mesosphere. Complex organic molecules produced by the Ly alpha photolysis of methane may […]

Press Release

Second Viking Oven May Have Failed

by Keith CowingJanuary 27, 1976June 27, 2026

One of three small ovens in an experiment aboard the Viking 1 spacecraft may not be working, similar to condition on Viking 2 reported last week. Both Vikings are enroute […]