Life on Mars – Page 2 – The Primordial Scoop

A way forward for NASA astrobiology

Last week at the Mars Society Convention I had an opportunity to talk to fellow astrobiologists, leaders of NASA Mars Exploration Program, and concerned public. Here are my thoughts.

By Jan Spacek October 12, 2023Astrobiology, Life, Life on Mars, Mars, NASANo Comments

Life on Mars

Making Operational the Polyelectrolyte Theory of the Gene in the Agnostic Search for Martian Life

Cite as: Benner, S. A. (2023) "Making Operational the Polyelectrolyte Theory of the Gene in the Agnostic Search for Martian Life". Primordial Scoop, e20230915. The Polyelectrolyte Theory of the Gene…

By Steven A. Benner September 15, 2023Life on MarsNo Comments

Life on Mars

Assembly Theory and Agnostic Life Finding

Agnostic life finders can either look for molecules that are necessary for Darwinian evolution, or molecules that require Darwinian evolution to make. Assembly Theory promises to resurrect the second strategy after years of failure. Can it?

By Steven A. Benner March 24, 2023Life on Mars3 Comments

Astrobiology Life on Mars

New project to find existing life on Mars before humans arrive

ALFA Mars (Agnostic Life Finding Association – Mars) is a group of scientists, engineers, science communicators, and volunteers with a goal to determine whether indigenous life is present on Martian surface before the first crewed mission arrives there.

By Jan Spacek August 8, 2022Astrobiology, Life on MarsNo Comments

Life on Mars Origin of Life Single Scoops

Ribonucleic acid is formed by percolating ribonucleoside triphosphates through basalt glass

This simple reaction is the last step in a modeled "discontinuous" process that moves from sulfite- and borate-stabilized carbohydrates, a post-impact atmosphere, and rock species delivered from basalt glass, all of the way to what might be the process forming what might have been the first genetic molecules on Earth ... and Mars.

By Steven A. Benner June 4, 2022Life on Mars, Origin of Life, Single Scoops1 Comment

Astrobiology Life on Mars NASA

How to Search for Life on Mars

This post provides additional discussion and references for How to Search for Life on Mars (Robert Zubrin, Steven Benner, and Jan Spacek, submitted to Scientific American)

By admin April 21, 2022Astrobiology, Life on Mars, NASANo Comments

Life Life on Mars NASA Synthetic Biology

NASA Headquarters Misses the Ball. Polyelectrolytes as the Key to Agnostic Life Finding

Synthetic biology, 20 years ago, taught NASA how to search generally, agnostically, and universally for alien life. NASA still does not understand the opportunity

By Steven A. Benner April 16, 2022Life, Life on Mars, NASA, Synthetic BiologyNo Comments

Astrobiology Life on Mars Single Scoops

Benzoic acid on Mars. A 20 year old prediction come true?

Millan et al. just reported the discovery of benzoic acid in the dunes on Mars. Remarkably, benzoic acid was predicted 20 years ago to be on Mars as a product of organics falling to Mars via meteorite. And possibly ... life. Simply by understanding basic organic chemistry.

By Steven A. Benner November 4, 2021Astrobiology, Life on Mars, Single ScoopsNo Comments

Life on Mars Origin of Life Single Scoops

If we are related to Martians, how would we know (Part 1)?

If life ever existed on Mars, it's possible that it could be related, in some way, to life on Earth. Fortunately, such a relationship would leave signs in Martian biochemistry.

By Steven A. Benner March 29, 2021Life on Mars, Origin of Life, Single Scoops1 Comment

Life on Mars

How the Agnostic Life Finder (ALF) Searches for Life on Mars

Here, we describe an Agnostic Life Finder (ALF) that is able to look for life in water throughout the Solar System. ALF uses electric fields to extract alien genetic molecules from water. This water will be mined in large volumes during in situ resource utilization (ISRU), to generate fuel before the first humans arrive to create large scale environmental perturbation.

By Jan Spacek February 11, 2021Life on MarsNo Comments

Life on Mars

The Search for Life on Mars Must Start Now

According to planetary protection guidelines, manned Mars missions could be a severe biological hazard. At the same time, Mars will soon be accessible for those who might choose not to follow these guidelines. If we are serious about planetary protection, we must know if life is present on Mars before humans land there.

By Jan Spacek February 11, 2021Life on Mars1 Comment

Life on Mars

The Race to Put the First Humans on Mars

Short of a global apocalypse, we can expect people living on Mars by the year 2050 and if everything runs smoothly, humans will be a multiplanetary species in the 2030s. Several national agencies and private companies declared their interest in landing humans on Mars. This article reviews their programs.

By Jan Spacek February 11, 2021Life on Mars6 Comments