When we think about sprightliness on Mars , we do n’t typically reckon that it will be life that we ( by chance ) brought there . But a trio of new studies looks at the possibility of how some bacterium from Earth could be able to survive — perhaps even thrive — on Mars .
The three studies , all published in Astrobiology by NASA JPL ’s Kasthuri J. Venkateswaran , focus on not just how the bacterium might make it to Mars , but also what would happen to it once it arrived .
There are , of course , protocols design to keep ballistic capsule clear of contaminants . The trouble , though , might be bacterial spores , which can be exceptionally hardy . While exposure to abrasive component and ultraviolet radiation therapy on Mars might vote out many of them , some could still survive .
In a simulated Martian environment ( as provide by the European Technology Exposure Facility on the ISS ) , some spore in the studywere able to survive at 18 months — and , incredibly some had become even hardier than we they arrived . SaidVenkateswaran : “ These surviving spores had higher concentrations of proteins link up with UV radiation ohmic resistance and , in fact , showed high-minded ultraviolet light resistance when revived and re - exposed on Earth . ”
you may check out all three study in Astrobiologyhere , here , andhereor understand more from NASAhere .
prototype : creative person ’s conception of an cosmonaut gathering samples on Mars / NASA
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