How can we protect Mars from Earth while searching for life?
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - 07:30
in Astronomy & Space
The search for life on Mars presents us with many challenges – not the least of which is microbial contamination. How do we ensure that microbes from Earth don't hitchhike all the way to the Red Planet and spread there? When a spacecraft is on the surface of Mars, what steps are needed to protect the environment from changes that could hurt any Martian life that is there?