Astronauts exploring Mars must be careful not to leave behind too heavy a footprint, experts emphasize. Indeed, human exploration of the Red Planet poses risks to the collection of potential evidence life on Mars, say scientists. Here finally Soilsimilar sites of scientific interest have suffered significant damage. “We risk the same for Mars without legal … Read more
Is or was there life on Mars? That profound question is so complex that it won’t be fully answered by the two NASA rovers now investigating it. But because of the literal groundwork the rovers are doing, scientists are finally examining in depth and in unprecedented detail the evidence for life on the planet, known … Read more
As the call to bring bits and pieces of Mars back to Earth for intensive research continues, scientists are also devising instruments and techniques that could be sent to the Red Planet to conduct on-site investigations for life. Can these low-cost approaches overcome the early need for samples shot directly from Mars? That option is … Read more