With a new probabilistic technique for sampling interstellar object (ISO) orbits with high efficiency, we assess the observability of ISOs under a realistic cadence for the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory’s […]
panspermia
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Astronauts Swab The Space Station’s Exterior For Microbes (Update)
UPDATE: Astronaut Suni Williams conducted this EVA on 30 January 2025. Earlier post: Astronauts are scheduled to venture outside the International Space Station to collect microbiological samples during crew spacewalks […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Mars Sample Return: From Collection To Curation Of Samples From A Habitable World
NASA’s Mars 2020 mission has initiated collection of samples from Mars’ Jezero Crater, which has a wide range of ancient rocks and rock types from lavas to lacustrine sedimentary rocks. […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Whole-genome Sequencing Of Paenibacillus Phoenicis Isolated from the Phoenix Mars Lander Spacecraft Assembly Facility
The genome of Paenibacillus phoenicis, a spore-forming bacterium isolated from the spacecraft assembly facility of the Phoenix mission, was generated via hybrid assembly by merging short and long reads. Examining […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Status Report
Synergistic Interactions Among Vacuum, Solar Heating, and UV Irradiation Enhance the Lethality of Interplanetary Space
A Planetary Atmospheric Chamber (PAC) was used to create simulations of interplanetary conditions to test the spore survival of three Bacillus spp. exposed to interacting conditions of vacuum (VAC), simulated […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Survival and Transfer of Microorganisms Beyond the Earth: To What Extent are Microorganisms Tolerant to External Influences?
The study of microorganism tolerance to extreme influences is an integral part of astrobiology.
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Space Stations, Status Report
Offworld Environment Testing: The Euro Material Ageing Experiment
Nothing is entirely immune to the harsh environment of space. Out there, materials and organisms degrade at a faster pace and in different ways. To understand how materials age beyond […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Panspermia, Status Report
Exchange Of Meteorites Between The Terrestrial Planets And The Moon
The evolution of the orbits of bodies ejected from the Earth, Moon, Mercury and Mars was studied. At ejection velocities about 12-14 km/s, the fraction of bodies ejected from the […]
Posted inGaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Intelligence & Language, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report
Percolation Of ‘Civilisation’ In A Homogeneous Isotropic Universe
In this work, we consider the spread of a ‘civilisation’ in an idealised homogeneous isotropic universe where all the planets of interest are habitable.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return
Mirror Bacteria Report: Call For A Global Discussion About Possible Risks
Editor’s note: As we study how Earth life is put together it is helpful to understand alternate ways that chemistry could combine to form living systems. One way is to […]