Planet Protector

“Imagine if an astronaut got sick on Mars from a microbe we’ve never  encountered before,” Conley says. “[If the microbe came to Earth,] we likely would have no way to stop the new illness from spreading around our planet.”

But the concern goes both ways. Scientists don’t want to risk introducing Earth microbes to places in space where they could survive. Earth microbes could harm any alien life on another planet, moon, or space object.

In the 1970s, NASA sent two landers to explore Mars as part of the Viking program. Before launch, scientists baked the landers in a giant oven. They were trying to kill all the microorganisms on the crafts. But it’s impossible to get rid of them all. “Wherever humans go, [even if it’s only our spacecraft,] microbes go too,” Conley says. 

“Imagine if an astronaut got sick on Mars from a microbe we’ve never encountered before,” Conley says. “[If the microbe came to Earth,] we likely would have no way to stop the new illness from spreading around our planet.”

But the concern goes both ways. Scientists don’t want to risk introducing Earth microbes to places in space where they could survive. Earth microbes could harm any alien life on another planet, moon, or space object.

NASA sent two landers to explore Mars as part of the Viking program in the 1970s. Scientists baked the landers in a giant oven before launch. They were trying to kill all the microbes on the landers. But it’s impossible to get rid of them all. “Wherever humans go, [even if it’s only our spacecraft,] microbes go too,” Conley says.

Since the Viking program, Mars-bound spacecraft have been cleaned but not baked to protect their sensitive instruments. Modern rovers and landers stick to exploring areas on the Red Planet not hospitable for Earth life. This means keeping the craft away from places on Mars where Earth microbes might grow—such as areas with liquid water, Conley says. 

Could life really survive in the harsh environment of a journey through space? It’s possible! We know that some Earth microbes have survived on the outside of the International Space Station and orbiting satellites. 

For Conley, her mission is clear. No matter where humans go in the solar system, “we’ll want to make sure we’re not accidentally bringing Earth life along for the ride!”

Spacecraft headed for Mars are now cleaned but not baked. This is to protect their sensitive equipment. Modern rovers and landers explore areas on the Red Planet where life on Earth could not survive. This means keeping the craft away from places on Mars where Earth microbes might grow. These include areas with liquid water, Conley says.

Could life really survive a journey through space? It’s possible! We know that some Earth microbes have survived on the outside of the International Space Station and orbiting satellites.

For Conley, her mission is clear. No matter where humans go in the solar system, “we’ll want to make sure we’re not accidentally bringing Earth life along for the ride!”

Spores of a common soil microbe survived for 18 months on the outside of the International Space Station. How many years did the bacteria survive?

Spores of a common soil microbe survived for 18 months on the outside of the International Space Station. How many years did the bacteria survive?

Before Curiosity launched in 2011, scientists found 377 strains of bacteria on the rover. Then they exposed Curiosity to extreme conditions to kill as many microbes as they could. About 40 strains survived. How many times greater was the number of strains initially found compared with the number that survived the cleaning?

Before Curiosity launched in 2011, scientists found 377 strains of bacteria on the rover. Then they exposed Curiosity to extreme conditions to kill as many microbes as they could. About 40 strains survived. How many times greater was the number of strains initially found compared with the number that survived the cleaning?

A super-microbe known as OU-20 lived for 553 days on the outside of the International Space Station. About how many months is that, using a 30-day month? Express your answer in months and your remainder in days. 

A super-microbe known as OU-20 lived for 553 days on the outside of the International Space Station. About how many months is that, using a 30-day month? Express your answer in months and your remainder in days.