Saving Mars from Earth microbes by Naveen Jayawardena
The single-celled organisms were the first to thrive on earth. Though some of them evolved into multi-cellular life forms, the microbes never left the face of the earth. Even today they are spread among us and in places unreachable in many other creature. Microbes have been found in some of very hostile environments. These ‘tough’ microbes have kept the hopes of astrobiologists alive in finding life elsewhere in the solar system in similar harsh environments. But the resistant organisms have now posed a new problem for space scientists.
Mars has been a likely candidate to detect life outside the earth. The recent succession of space missions to Mars have brought us closer and closer to the answer. But according to a report submitted by the National Academies’ National Research Council to NASA which is sponsored by NASA, the scientists have to be extra ‘careful’ not to contaminate Martian soil with earth microbes. The National Research Council is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering in United States.
Data from the recent missions are suggesting the presence of liquid water in many locations on Mars. These discoveries have supported the idea that Mars could be or has been a hospitable place for life. If microbes that can survive the extreme conditions on Earth hitchhiked their way to Mars, they might survive on Mars and probably multiply. Such an accident would give a false positive for the existence of life on Mars. So the report calls for a stricter microbe control in spaceships going to Mars. The presence of liquid water close to the surface is yet to be confirmed. Also there is lack of knowledge about the kind of microbes living in the ‘clean’ rooms assembling the spaceships. NASA already has taken steps to eliminate microbes from the spaceship components. A variety of methods are used and some components are ‘baked’ in dry heat. But even this is not calibrated to wipe out all types of microbes. Another drawback is that certain spaceship materials are unable to withstand high temperatures. Certain microbes produce spores which are more resistant than the organism. These spores can later revive the organism when conditions are healthy. The resistant capabilities are posing a challenge to the existing methods of cleaning spaceships.
The report has advised NASA to sponsor research which will introduce new tools that can make the future missions free from the risks of microbe contamination. Newer methods for speedy detection of microbes need to be made available. Detecting biological molecules without time-consuming laboratory cultures will help better sterilization of spaceships. Better cleaning methods like radiation and vapour disinfectants will be useful for the different components of the space vehicles.
The testing of new cleaning methods are expected to begin in three years. And the whole system be ready by 2016. NASA is willing to adopt a modern approach for planetary protection. These methods and the search for life on Mars should have to be completed before the first human visit to the Martian surface. Under present circumstances there is no way of eliminating all the microbes inside a human body. So the contamination can only be prevented till the arrival of humans.
(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/10/01/life/5.asp)
Mars has been a likely candidate to detect life outside the earth. The recent succession of space missions to Mars have brought us closer and closer to the answer. But according to a report submitted by the National Academies’ National Research Council to NASA which is sponsored by NASA, the scientists have to be extra ‘careful’ not to contaminate Martian soil with earth microbes. The National Research Council is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering in United States.
Data from the recent missions are suggesting the presence of liquid water in many locations on Mars. These discoveries have supported the idea that Mars could be or has been a hospitable place for life. If microbes that can survive the extreme conditions on Earth hitchhiked their way to Mars, they might survive on Mars and probably multiply. Such an accident would give a false positive for the existence of life on Mars. So the report calls for a stricter microbe control in spaceships going to Mars. The presence of liquid water close to the surface is yet to be confirmed. Also there is lack of knowledge about the kind of microbes living in the ‘clean’ rooms assembling the spaceships. NASA already has taken steps to eliminate microbes from the spaceship components. A variety of methods are used and some components are ‘baked’ in dry heat. But even this is not calibrated to wipe out all types of microbes. Another drawback is that certain spaceship materials are unable to withstand high temperatures. Certain microbes produce spores which are more resistant than the organism. These spores can later revive the organism when conditions are healthy. The resistant capabilities are posing a challenge to the existing methods of cleaning spaceships.
The report has advised NASA to sponsor research which will introduce new tools that can make the future missions free from the risks of microbe contamination. Newer methods for speedy detection of microbes need to be made available. Detecting biological molecules without time-consuming laboratory cultures will help better sterilization of spaceships. Better cleaning methods like radiation and vapour disinfectants will be useful for the different components of the space vehicles.
The testing of new cleaning methods are expected to begin in three years. And the whole system be ready by 2016. NASA is willing to adopt a modern approach for planetary protection. These methods and the search for life on Mars should have to be completed before the first human visit to the Martian surface. Under present circumstances there is no way of eliminating all the microbes inside a human body. So the contamination can only be prevented till the arrival of humans.
(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/10/01/life/5.asp)
| Permalink | E-mail this post 
