The water contents of the lunar interior record important clues for understanding the formation and subsequent thermochemical evolution of the Moon.
regolith
Posted inAnalog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Space Stations, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
ISS Astrobiology Research: Photochemical Evolution of Alanine in Association with the Martian Soil Analog Montmorillonite
The Photochemistry on the Space Station (PSS) experiment was part of the European Space Agency’s EXPOSE-R2 mission and was conducted on the International Space Station from 2014 to 2016. The […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Press Release
Adsorptive Regolith On Mars Soaks Up Water
Mars, the next frontier in space exploration, still poses many questions for scientists. The planet was once more hospitable, characterized by a warm and wet climate with liquid oceans. But […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Unburied Treasure: Rover Researchers Find Unexpected Minerals On Mars
Sometimes scientists must dig and work and sweat to make scientific discoveries. And sometimes a robot rolls over a rock that turns out to be a revelation.
Posted inLife Support Systems, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Moon, Status Report
Developing An Alternative Medium For In-space Biomanufacturing
In this process, in-situ resources (e.g., Lunar and Martian regolith), end-of-life materials (e.g., PET plastic), and human waste (e.g., astronaut fecal waste) can be converted into metabolizable substrates to feed […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Sampling Mars: Geologic Context and Preliminary Characterization of Samples Collected by the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission
The NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission has collected samples of rock, regolith, and atmosphere within the Noachian-aged Jezero Crater, once the site of a delta-lake system with a high […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Status Report
May Antarctic Plants Grow On Martian And Lunar Soil Simulants Under Terrestrial Conditions?
Extremophile organisms have been largely studied in Astrobiology. Among them, two antarctic plants emerge as good candidates to become colonizers of other celestial bodies, such as Mars and the Moon.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) Call for Applications for 2025 Membership
The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) is seeking applications for open volunteer service positions starting in 2025.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Mars, Status Report
Behaviors of Martian CO2-driven Dry Climate System and Conditions for Atmospheric Collapses
The present Martian climate is characterized by a cold and dry environment with a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxides (CO2).
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: A.I. / Machine Learning: Adaptive Sampling With PIXL On Mars Perseverance
Editor’s note: From the paper’s Introduction: “At the time of this writing, PIXL’s adaptive sampling capability has been operating on Mars for over 951 sols (martian days), with over 52 […]