People Of Astrobiology Archives

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Life Support Systems, Origin & Evolution of Life, People Of Astrobiology, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Astrobiologist Dale Andersen Antarctic Status Report 26 November 2017: Busy Days at Lake Untersee

by Keith CowingNovember 26, 2017June 12, 2026

Dale Andersen sent this message on 26 November 2017 at :09:26 AM EST: “We are working pretty hard while taking advantage of the nice days we have had recently. I […]

Gravitational Biology, People Of Astrobiology, Space Life Science, Space Stations

Space Biologists Thora Halstead and Ken Souza Honored Aboard The International Space Station

by Keith CowingOctober 28, 2016April 13, 2024

A small plant growth chamber orbiting in space was remotely dedicated in Cleveland Saturday evening. At the annual meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) it […]

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Fossils & Paleontology, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Tricorders & Sensors

Taking In The View From Wharton Ridge

by Keith CowingOctober 7, 2016April 13, 2024

Today I learned that a feature on the surface of Mars has been named after a friend of mine.

Astrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Press Release, Space Life Science

Ken Souza, Space Biologist

by Keith CowingMarch 23, 2016April 13, 2024

Keith’s note: I was deeply saddened to learn that my long time friend Ken Souza died suddenly yesterday. Ken was probably the first NASA life scientist I got to know […]

NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Plant Biology, Space Life Science

Thora Halstead, Space Biologist

by Keith CowingMarch 15, 2016April 13, 2024

Keith’s note: When I first came to Washington in 1986 I had the extreme pleasure of working with Thora at NASA Headquarters. Thora learned her craft from the very first […]

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Meteorites & Asteroids, People Of Astrobiology, Status Report

Dr. David S. McKay Has Passed Away

by Keith CowingFebruary 21, 2013April 13, 2024

From the NASA JSC Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate

The late Robert A. Wharton Jr., an alumnus of the Virginia Tech College of Science, in 2012. Photo courtesy of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, People Of Astrobiology

Astrobiologist And Explorer Robert Wharton Has Died

by Keith CowingSeptember 19, 2012April 13, 2024

Editor’s note: I am profoundly saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I got to know Bob very well when he and I worked at the old Life Sciences Division at […]

Astrobiology (general), People Of Astrobiology, Status Report

In Memoriam: Lynn Margulis, 1938-2011

by Keith CowingJanuary 19, 2012April 13, 2024

Evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis, a long-time member of the astrobiology community, died at her home on November 22. She was 73.

Astrogeology, People Of Astrobiology, Press Release

In Memoriam: Ronald Greeley

by Keith CowingNovember 23, 2011April 13, 2024

The astrobiology community deeply mourns the loss of Ronald Greeley. Ronald Greeley, a Regents’ Professor of planetary geology at Arizona State University, who has been involved in lunar and planetary […]

Baruch S. Blumberg -- NASA/Astrobiology.com

Press Release

Baruch Samuel Blumberg 1925-2011

by Keith CowingApril 6, 2011September 27, 2026

Keith’s note: I learned with profound sadness last night that Baruch Blumberg died suddenly yesterday. He was in a small meeting focused upon how to move humanity off this world […]