habitat
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report

Subsurface Microbiology And The Pressing Societal Need To Support Future Exploration

by Keith Cowing

Subsurface microbiology is at a crossroads, evolving from asking ‘who’s home’ to seeking clarity on microbes’ functionality and the key processes that constrain subsurface life.

Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report

An Airlock Concept To Reduce Contamination Risks During The Human Exploration Of Mars

by Keith Cowing

Protecting the Martian environment from contamination with terrestrial microbes is generally seen as essential to the scientific exploration of Mars, especially when it comes to the search for indigenous life.

Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Space Agriculture, Status Report

Self-sustaining Living Habitats In Extraterrestrial Environments

by Keith Cowing

Standard definitions of habitability assume that life requires the presence of planetary gravity wells to stabilize liquid water and regulate surface temperature. Here the consequences of relaxing this assumption are […]

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