Extensive fungal growth has been detected on the walls and other building constructions in the inner parts of the Shelter of the damaged fourth Unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power […]
Planetary Protection & Biosafety
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Nitrogen- And Oxygen-Rich Organic Material Indicative Of Polymerization In Pre-aqueous Cryochemistry On Bennu’s Parent Body
Nitrogen-containing organic compounds play key biological roles, and their identification in primitive astromaterials such as meteorites can shed light on the origin of life.
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Offworld Biotechnology Glovebox Operations: DNA Nano Therapeutics-Mission 2
Working in the space station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim mixes proteins with Janus base nanomaterials, small molecules that mimic DNA base pairs, for DNA Nano Therapeutics-Mission 2.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astronauts and Explorers, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release, Sample Return
Caves On Earth As Proxies For Martian Subsurface Environments
On planet Earth, the inner part of cave systems represents an extreme and isolated environment, characterized by relatively stable microclimatic conditions, nutrient limitation and protection from external stressors such as […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Moon, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
NASA Astromaterials Sample Deadlines Approaching
The next sample request deadline for Antarctic Meteorites is December 5, 2025. Requests received by this deadline will be reviewed in the Fall meeting by the Antarctic Meteorite Allocation Panel. […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Career Opportunities, Comets and Asteroids, Courses, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Moon, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
ETMA: Extraterrestrial Materials Academy
The Extraterrestrial Materials Academy (ETMA) is scheduled for June 8–August 15, 2026, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas, in partnership with the University of Houston–Clear Lake […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Icy Worlds, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Sugars And Stardust Found In NASA’s Asteroid Bennu Samples
The asteroid Bennu continues to provide new clues to scientists’ biggest questions about the formation of the early solar system and the origins of life.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving
Oxychlorine Species On Mars: A Review
Oxychlorine species (mainly perchlorate and chlorate) have been identified at multiple locations on the surface of Mars by both orbiter and in situ rovers. They have also been found in […]
Posted inMars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Sample Science Traceability Matrix for Perseverance’s Mars Sample Return Collection
The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign aims to retrieve a set of carefully selected and documented samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover in and around Jezero Crater on Mars and […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Saturn, Status Report, Titan
Flower-like Satellite Constellations To Guide Future Missions Around TitanSatellite Navigation
Exploring Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, presents unique orbital challenges due to its dense atmosphere, gravitational perturbations, and limited sunlight. A new study proposes an innovative satellite constellation architecture based on […]