[Astrobiology via PubMed] This article is an anecdotal recap of lessons learned from the ALH 84001 debate in light of the historical and recent debate over the Viking results.
Viking
Posted inMars
The Impact of the Viking Entry, Descent, and Landing Legacy on Future Mars Exploration
[Astrobiology] This article outlines engineering challenges that were involved in the design innovations required to successfully deliver not one but two landers for Viking.
Posted inMars
Fifty Years after Viking: The Promise of Solar System Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
[Astrobiology via PubMed] The ambiguity of the Viking lander life-detection experiments left microbiology and microbial ecology out of space missions for 50 years. However, this was largely because the scientific […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Mars, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Pathogens Survive Conditions On Extraterrestrial Locations
Micro organisms from our planet could survive on celestial bodies where water is present, such as Mars. That is the conclusion of PhD candidate Tommaso Zaccaria after experiments with simulated […]
Posted inCareer Opportunities, Conferences and Meetings, Education and Outreach, NASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Status Report
Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Spring 2026 Travel Grant Announced
The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Spring 2026 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Volcanic Ash Creeps Across Mars – The View From Orbit
Noticeable change on Mars often takes millions of years – but the European Space Agency’s Mars Express has captured a blanket of dark ash creeping across the planet in just […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
NASA Tests Future Mars Droids In Death Valley
Next-generation drone flight software is just one of 25 technologies for the Red Planet that the space agency funded for development this year.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Habitable From The Start: How Initial Planetary Formation Conditions May Create Habitable Worlds
The breadth of topics that encompass the search for life has expanded and evolved significantly since the emergence of the field of astrobiology.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Desert Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release
Raging Winds On Mars
Despite the very thin Martian atmosphere, there are also winds on Mars that are central to the climate and the distribution of dust.