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Life on Mars


5 October 2006

The topic of plenary six if IAC2006 was one of the most popular topics in science: Life on Mars.

The presentation was moderated by Dr Gerda Horneck, Chair of IAA Commission 2, DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Germany and Dr John D. Rummel, Vice-Chair of IAA Commission 2, NASA. It featured four premier scientists who are leading the search:
  • Prof. Ricardo Amils, Expert in Microbiological Ecology and Astrobiology, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
  • Dr Michael A. Meyer, Mars Exploration Program Lead Scientist, NASA-HQ, USA
  • Dr Jorge Vago, ExoMars Project Scientist, ESA/ESTEC
  • Dr Frances Westall, Geologist- Specialist in Bacterial Paleontology, Centre Nacional de la Recherche Scientifique, France
The discussion related to the search for Life on Mars, a planet that hosts favourable conditions for the development of simple life, due to the nutrients, heat, and traces of water that once existed on existed on the surface of the Red Planet. Some scientists speculate that it is nearly certain that simple life forms may have existed 500-800 million years ago.

Spain is particularly important to this discussion because the landscape of the Rio Tinto area is an extreme environment similar to that of the terrain of Mars - thus it is extremely helpful in the study of habitable conditions.

Several space-faring nations, including US, China, India and the European Space Agency are developing plans to send probes and humans to Mars to learn more about the potential for Martian habitability.




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