IAF Conference, Houston, TX, USA, October 2002

By the students of ISU SSP 2002

Alone?  A Discovery Sourcebook for Astrobiology

2.0: Alive 3.0: Future Missions 4.0: Planetary ProtectionProperties of and conditions for life

Science Objectives and Mission Design

Definitions, Methods and Legal Issues

The Quest for Discovery

5.0: Impact on Humanity 6.0: Education

Historical Perspective and Scenarios

Connection and Cross Fertilization of Disciplines

Human Elements

7.0: Case StudySynthesis

1.0: PPPAMWork to date

Current State

Introduction

Mars Viking

Arecibo

Darwin

Eros

Past, Present & PlannedAstrobiology Investigations

ALIVE - Properties of and Conditions for Life

Definition of life• Different definitions given by Evolutionists, Cell biologists,

Molecular biologists, Geneticists, Ecologists, Chemists, Geologist, Physicist and Philosopher.

• Look at life as we know it!

• Extinct Life

• Extant Life

Conditions for Life• Habitable zones• Extreme environments

Future Missions

• Solar System Bodies– Science Objective

– Hot Targets

– Experiments

– Missions and Technology

– Proposed Missions

• New Space Technology– Miniaturization

– Radiation Hardening of Electronics

– Advanced Propulsion

– Autonomous capabilitiesMiniaturization

Autonomous capabilities

Ion Propulsion

CometMars

Containment (e.g. Mars Return Facility)

Curation

Detection and Analysis (D&A)

Biomass Reduction Methods

Planetary ProtectionLegal Aspects

OST, Article 9

Moon Treaty, Article 7

COSPAR-Recommendations-Guidelines-Report to UN

In the Interests of Humanity, Science, and Politics

Forward Contamination Backward Contamination

Cleaning

Clean Room

Sterilization

Sample Sterilization

Pristine Sample Bank

Life Detection-Life Detection Research-Gas-Fines

Biohazard-Harmfulness

Physical/Chemical-Methods

National Legislation

Ethics

Politics

Planetary Protection

Impact on Humanity

• Historical Perspective• Mars channels (~ 1895)

• War of the Worlds (1938)

• Discovery of quasars and pulsars (1965 and 1967)

• ALH84001 (1996)

• Scenarios• Life on Mars (near/simple)

• WOW signal (far/intelligent)

• They’re here!(near/intelligent)

• A planet in a galaxy far away (far/simple)

• Suggested guidelines

Education• Resource Review and Gap Analysis • Suggested Activities for Target Group

– Phase 1 – Introduction to Astrobiology– Phase 2 – What is Needed for Life on Earth?– Phase 3 – How to Look For, Protect & Study Life?

– Phase 4 – Which Planets/bodies in our Solar System are Best

Suited to Contain Evidence of Life?– Phase 5 – What We are Doing to

Learn More About Possible LifeOutside our Planet?

– Phase 6 – Designing YourOwn Searches

• Implementation Plan PhysicsHumanities

Chemistry

Geology

Astronomy Biology

Astrobiology

PhysicsHumanities

Chemistry

Geology

Astronomy Biology

Astrobiology

Case Study

• Requirements:– 20 years time-frame– potential astrobiology target– existing launcher and communication facilities

• Jovian system investigation with astrobiology emphasis on Europa:– Orbiter - Probe carrier, RS device, comm relay– Lander - Science payload on ice clipper,

tethered to surface antenna

Summary

– Covers wide scope– PPPAI survey– Outlined a curriculum– PP & Impact considered– More missions are being planned for

Astrobiology– Case Study– Sourcebook created (www.isunet.edu)