A5052361051- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Clay minerals and soil interactions
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Drilling and Well Engineering
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Water Quality Monitoring Technologies
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Diatoms and Algae Research
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Space exploration and regulation
Ames Research Center
2007-2024
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
2010-2024
University of Trieste
2001-2004
Mars has undergone three main climatic stages throughout its geological history, beginning with a water-rich epoch, followed by cold and semi-arid era, transitioning into present-day arid very desert conditions. These global eras also represent different of planetary habitability: an early, potentially habitable stage when the basic requisites for life as we know it were present (liquid water energy); intermediate extreme stage, liquid solutions became scarce or challenging life; most recent...
The Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE) simulated a robotic drilling mission to search for subsurface life on Mars. drill site was Peña de Hierro near the headwaters of Río Tinto river (southwest Spain), deposit that includes massive sulfides their gossanized remains resemble some iron sulfur minerals found used fluidless, 10-axis, autonomous coring mounted lander. Cores were faced; then instruments collected color wide-angle context images, microscopic visible–near...
A field prototype of an antibody array-based life-detector instrument, Signs Of LIfe Detector (SOLID2), has been tested in a Mars drilling mission simulation called MARTE (Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment). As one the analytical instruments on robotic rig, SOLID2 performed automatic sample processing analysis ground core samples (0.5 g) with protein microarrays that contained 157 different antibodies. Core from depths (down to 5.5 m) were analyzed, positive reactions...
Abstract This paper highlights unique sites in Ladakh, India, investigated during our 2016 multidisciplinary pathfinding expedition to the region. We summarize scientific findings and site's potential support science exploration, testing of new technologies protocols within framework astrobiology research. Ladakh has several accessible, diverse, pristine extreme environments at very high altitudes (3000–5700 m above sea level). These include glacial passes, sand dunes, hot springs saline...
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development crewed missions, it remains important protect the integrity scientific investigations at Mars, as well Earth's biosphere any potential harmful effects returned martian material. This is discipline planetary protection, and Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) maintains consensus international policy guidelines how this implemented. Based National Aeronautics Administration (NASA) European Agency (ESA)...
Abstract The NASA Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE) performed a field test simulating robotic drilling mission on in September 2005. experiment took place Minas de Riotinto southwestern Spain, highly relevant analog site. utilized 10 m class dry auger coring drill, core sample handling system, onboard science life detection instruments, borehole inspection probe, all of which were mounted to simulated lander platform. Much the operation system was automated,...
The Mars Icebreaker Life mission will search for subsurface life on Mars. It consists of three payload elements: a drill to retrieve soil samples from approximately 1 m below the surface, robotic sample handling system deliver instruments, and instruments themselves. This paper discuss system. Collecting ice-rich soils in presents two challenges: protection that icy soil—considered "special region" with respect planetary protection—from contamination Earth, delivery icy, sticky spacecraft...
Abstract The deep subsurface of other planetary bodies is special interest for robotic and human exploration. provides access to interior processes, thus yielding insights into formation evolution. On Mars, the might harbour most habitable conditions. In context exploration, can provide refugia habitation from extreme surface We describe fifth Mine Analogue Research (MINAR 5) programme at 1 km depth in Boulby Mine, UK collaboration with Spaceward Bound NASA Kalam Centre, India, test...
With advances in commercial space launch capabilities and reduced costs to orbit, humans may arrive on Mars within a decade. Both preserve any signs of past (and extant) martian life protect the health human crews Earth's biosphere), it will be necessary assess risk cross-contamination surface, blown dust, into near-subsurface (where exploration resource-harvesting can reasonably anticipated). Thus, evaluating for presence biosignatures become critical-path precursor not-so-far future, circa...
Science results from a field-simulated lander payload and post-mission laboratory investigations provided "ground truth" to interpret remote science observations made as part of the 2005 Mars Astrobiology Research Technology Experiment (MARTE) drilling mission simulation. The experiment was successful in detecting evidence for life, habitability, preservation potential organics relevant astrobiological analogue Mars. results. Borehole 7 drilled near Río Tinto headwaters at Peña de Hierro...
Mars Astrobiology Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE) investigators used an automated drill sample processing hardware to detect categorize life-forms found in subsurface rock at Río Tinto, Spain. For the science be successful, it was necessary for biomass from other sources—whether previously processed samples (cross contamination) or terrestrial environment (forward contamination)—to insignificant. The practices MARTE were designed around this problem. Here, we describe some of...
In 2019, the Atacama Rover Astrobiology Drilling Studies (ARADS) project field-tested an autonomous rover-mounted robotic drill prototype for a 6-Sol life detection mission to Mars (Icebreaker). ARADS drilled Mars-like materials in Desert (Chile), one of most life-diminished regions on Earth, where mitigating contamination transfer into life-detection instruments becomes critical. Our Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation (CCSI) Sample Handling Transfer System (SHTS) hardware...
Abstract The landing site of the next mission to Mars (the US 2011 Science Laboratory) will include phyllosilicate outcrops as targets for investigating geological and biological history planet. In this context, we present a preliminary study assessing living biomass habitability potential in mineralogical analogs by means multi-component investigations (X-ray diffraction, microRaman spectroscopy SEM\EDX). Phyllosilicate hematite-rich deposits from Atacama Desert (Chile), Death Valley (CA),...
The Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR) is a hypervelocity impact facility hosting variable angle, two-stage, light-gas gun that can accelerate projectiles up to 7 km s−1. We have used the AVGR produce impacts into supercooled (73–89 K) synthetic seawater ice targets inside large chamber, whose pressure 0.3 0.7 Torr. report on effective novel use of stainless steel meshes (49 μm, 100 149 and 500 μm) filter ejecta plume for grains desired size demonstrate reproducible temperature, speed, particle...
We report field tests of an instrument using multi-wavelength excitation and detection fluorescence capable discrimination viable cells, non-viable cells (not metabolically active but not decomposed), spores in extreme arid environments where low microbial abundances are expected. These new results presented for cold dry volcanic habitats worldwide, e.g., the core Atacama Desert, Mt. Kilimanjaro glacier Kibo area, Pali Aike caldera, western US desert soils Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California....
We explore the feasibility of using Raman imaging as a technique for identifying areas high astrobiological interest on Mars-like surfaces. This paper will discuss technique, analysis, and possible deployment rover mounted instrumentation biogenic samples from Mars analog environments, such Mojave Desert Lassen Volcanic National Park. also this non-destructive, in situ identification snow algae found harsh environments.