COSPAR tagged posts

The chances of anything coming from Mars

Microscope images of rock samples and a bar chart showing signals from them.
Mars analogues. Photos and outputs from instruments used for O-PTIR. Researchers can interpret the images on the left, made using different optical sensors, to produce graphs like those on the right, which show the presence of microbial life. ©2025 Suzuki et al. CC-BY-ND

New method to detect life makes Mars sample return protocols rock solid

Within the next decade, space agencies plan to bring samples of rock from Mars to Earth for study. Of concern is the possibility these samples contain life, which could have unforeseen consequences. Therefore, researchers in this field strive to create methods to detect life...

Read More