Transcript IAF Pres. Draft

Alone? A Discovery
Sourcebook for Astrobiology
IAF Conference, Houston, TX, USA, October 2002
By the students of ISU SSP 2002
Introduction
Current State
1.0: PPPAM
Work to date
The Quest for Discovery
2.0: Alive
3.0: Future Missions
Properties of and
conditions for life
Science Objectives
and Mission Design
4.0: Planetary Protection
Definitions, Methods
and Legal Issues
Human Elements
5.0: Impact on Humanity
6.0: Education
Historical Perspective and
Scenarios
Connection and Cross
Fertilization of Disciplines
Synthesis
7.0: Case Study
Past, Present & Planned
Astrobiology Investigations
Mars Viking
Darwin
Arecibo
Eros
ALIVE - Properties of and
Conditions for Life
Definition of life
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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
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Habitable zones
Extreme environments
Future Missions
• Solar System Bodies
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Science Objective
Hot Targets
Experiments
Missions and Technology
Proposed Missions
Comet
Mars
Ion Propulsion
• New Space Technology
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Miniaturization
Radiation Hardening of Electronics
Advanced Propulsion
Autonomous capabilities
Autonomous
capabilities
Miniaturization
Planetary Protection
Planetary Protection
In the Interests of Humanity,
Science, and Politics
Legal Aspects
Ethics
OST, Article 9
Moon Treaty, Article 7
Politics
Forward Contamination
Backward Contamination
COSPAR
-Recommendations
-Guidelines
-Report to UN
Biomass Reduction
Methods
Containment (e.g. Mars Return Facility)
National Legislation
Cleaning
Sample Sterilization
Sterilization
Pristine Sample
Bank
Clean Room
Curation
Detection and Analysis (D&A)
Life Detection
-Life Detection Research
-Gas
-Fines
Biohazard
-Harmfulness
Physical/Chemical
-Methods
Impact on Humanity
• Historical Perspective
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Mars channels (~ 1895)
War of the Worlds (1938)
Discovery of quasars and pulsars (1965 and 1967)
ALH84001 (1996)
• Scenarios
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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
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Resource Review and Gap Analysis
Suggested Activities for Target Group
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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 Life
Outside our Planet?
Phase 6 – Designing Your
Own Searches
Implementation Plan
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
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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)