Earth microbes 'could survive on Mars'

[Kyng]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien...05425.html

Lifeforms from Earth could temporarily survive a Mars-like atmosphere, according to a new Nasa study, which will help scientists to further understand the possibility of exploiting environments beyond our own planet.

The joint study by Nasa and German Aerospace Centre (DLR) scientists tested the endurance of microorganisms after launching them into conditions similar to the Red Planet through balloons that floated up to high altitudes, finding that at least some of them survived the journey.

"We successfully tested a new way of exposing bacteria and fungi to Mars-like conditions by using a scientific balloon to fly our experimental equipment up to Earth’s stratosphere," said DLR’s Marta Filipa Cortesão, joint-lead author of the study.

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Well, I suppose it's not a perfect test, but it's probably the closest we can do, and it does show promise .

Still, this is helpful to know - because, it should help us with terraforming and making our own food there!

[Spook of the lost]

so here's the problem.

they tested the temperature and atmospheric density but they didn't test the atmospheric composition.

most earth life consumes oxygen (trees and certain algae doing the opposite).
this means it would suffocate on mars because the oxygen isn't free but mostly bonded with carbon due to it's CO2 rich atmosphere.

otoh, if we could use this to bioengineer some of that CO2 consuming algae to survive mars's temperature and atmospheric conditions so that it breaks the carbon off from the oxygen then we might be able to use it for terraforming.

otoh this does prove one thing, the job of the planetary Protection Officer over at nasa is vital for any further exploratory missions to the red planet to avoid accidental cross contamination from earth.