Humans and robots collaborating in the search for life beyond Earth

Abstract

The search for life beyond Earth, carried out by humans and robots, is one of the key drivers for space exploration. Rocks and soils returned by the Apollo astronauts were initially quarantined and studied for any evidence of lunar microbes - none were found with most of the research done by workers using controlled-atmosphere gloveboxes. The robotic Viking landers deliberately searched for organic chemistry and metabolism in Martian soil, again with negative results. Intensive laboratory research is currently underway to understand possible signs of ancient microorganisms in meteorites from Mars. All of these meteorites have been found by human searches, but experiments with a robot meteorite hunter have recently shown promise. Future samples returned by spacecraft from the Martian surface may require initial robotic handling until questions of possible indigenous life and biohazard can be answered. Robots and specialized vehicles will certainly be required to support future human exploration of Mars. Jupiter's satellite Europa may have a liquid ocean beneath its ice crust. Robots are being designed to explore this ocean for evidence of ecosystems based on chemical energy, like those found on the terrestrial seafloor by robots and humans in deep submersibles. Optical telescopes are revealing everincreasing numbers of planets orbiting other stars, and space observatories may achieve the sensitivity to detect chemical signs of life in the atmospheres of these extrasolar planets. Automated searches of nearby stars for signs of radio communication are currently underway. If any of these investigations provides evidence of life, in our solar system or beyond, it will rank as one of the most important discoveries in human history.