IMPRESS to Deliver Art and Science to Mars
Posted inAstrobiology Life Life on Mars Mars

IMPRESS to Deliver Art and Science to Mars

The image depicts a concept art: a five meters tall titanium penetrator imbedded in the Martian soil. The scientific payload and cameras broadcasting statue's selfies reside in the half-buried pedestal. Long after the science mission ends, this statue will serve as a landscape feature and a message to the future generations.
September 20, 2024Posted inAstrobiology, Life, Life on Mars, MarsNo Comments
Radiation on Mars is less likely to kill you than sitting on your couch
Posted inLife on Mars Mars

Radiation on Mars is less likely to kill you than sitting on your couch

We have all heard that radiation on the Martian surface is dangerous to humans and that it would limit the extent of life there, both indigenous and transplanted. However, what is rarely mentioned is how dangerous the radiation is exactly. I will attempt to quantify this danger. In short: If you choose to forgo exercise and have a poor diet, you have a higher chance of premature death due to cancer than if you lead an otherwise healthy life but are exposed to Mars-surface radiation levels.
February 7, 2024Posted inLife on Mars, MarsNo Comments
The BARSOOM Model for Life on Mars
Posted inLife on Mars Single Scoops

The BARSOOM Model for Life on Mars

Many different metabolic strategies might let life survive on Mars where Viking landed. One in particular explains all of the observations made by Viking. In addition, it is consistent with chemical principles, and "clever" natural selection likely evolved these Bacterial Autotrophs Respiring with Stored Oxygen in Overnight Metabolism as fit solutions to the challenges of living on the Martian surface.
November 18, 2023Posted inLife on Mars, Single ScoopsNo Comments
Evolution is cleverer than you are
Posted inLife on Mars Mars

Evolution is cleverer than you are

Biology is very difficult to predict but surprisingly easy to bend to fit any observed results. Life on Mars might employ various pathways to generate energy and fix reduced carbon. Contrary to Steven Benner's claims, at least some of the potential pathways do not involve the generation of molecular oxygen.
November 17, 2023Posted inLife on Mars, MarsNo Comments
Why does the NASA Culture Still Get Viking 1976 Wrong?
Posted inLife on Mars Single Scoops

Why does the NASA Culture Still Get Viking 1976 Wrong?

Because one item of data from the 1976 Viking mission to Mars was misinterpreted, the NASA "consensus" has for a half century held that no life exists today on the surface of Mars. As is frequently seen in science, facts and logic have failed to dislodge this cultural belief. If we are ever to meet our neighbors, we must take matters into our own hands.
November 13, 2023Posted inLife on Mars, Single ScoopsNo Comments
Interplanetary lawn darts to study extant life in Martian subsurface ice
Posted inAstrobiology Life on Mars

Interplanetary lawn darts to study extant life in Martian subsurface ice

A proposal to search for life on Mars using kinetic penetrators, embedding probes into Martian ice through hard landing. This life-finding mission concept is low-cost and accessible to many private organizations, allowing to seek and study Mars biosphere by multiple entities before we send humans there.
October 17, 2023Posted inAstrobiology, Life on MarsNo Comments