######### ![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.1666666666666667in" height="0.875in"}NASA SPACE MISSIONS

######### Group #3

######### With Long-Lead Future

######### & RELATED NAI RESEARCH PROJECTS

**Science & Technology Contributions**

-   **Data Source**

The information below was compiled from the NAI Annual Report Year 3:
July 2000-June 2001**,** using information from the \"Mission
Involvement\" section of Project Reports submitted by Lead Teams and
Focus Groups.

-   **Content Below**

Four categories of involvement in Long-Lead Future missions are
identified below. Projects relating to each category are identified by
Lead Team or Focus Group, project or Focus Group name, and people
involved. The descriptive text is from the \"Mission Involvement\"
sections of the Year 3 Project and Focus Group Reports.

## 

## 1. Extraterrestrial Life: Biomarkers / Biospheres / Biosignatures 

#  ARC: Early Microbial Ecosystems: David Des Marais 

> These studies will strengthen the systematics for interpreting the
> microbial fossil record and thereby enhance astrobiological studies of
> martian samples. Our models of biogenic gas emissions will enhance
> models of atmospheres that might be detected on inhabited extrasolar
> planets. This work therefore addresses the question: How can other
> biospheres be recognized?
>
> (Also listed in Missions #1 with Des Marais activities for various
> Mars missions)

**CUB: RNA World and Origin of Life: Michael Yarus**

This project work provides guidance for any NASA mission concerned with
early

stages of the origin of life. For example, if an RNA world existed (or
exists) on Mars, this work can help recognize it.

Evolutionary Genomics Focus Group: Blair Hedges (PENN), James Lake

(UCLA)

Mars Missions: Related to Evolutionary Genomics Focus Group Research

> Focus Group inter-team research (evolutionary genomics) will
> directly/indirectly affect most NASA missions related to astrobiology.
> Focus aspects: 1) Identify and refine biomarkers by clarifying the
> relationship between biotic and environmental evolution. (Detection of
> life elsewhere relies on biomarkers, with their interpretation based
> on the evolution and characteristics of life on Earth.) and 2) Study
> of persistence of life inferred through evolutionary analyses (e.g.,
> life during environmental extremes in the past history of the Earth,
> especially during Neoproterozoic global glaciations).

**HAR: Evogenomics (Collaborative Focus Group Research): Charles
Marshall**

Project: Research areas directly supporting Evolutionary Genomics Focus
Group

interests, e.g., molecular evolution and phylogeny, studying key
metazoans with

sequencing, searching for key developmental genes, and providing
molecular

> clock data for evolution. This research will thus relate to the same
> missions as those listed for the Evolutionary Genomics Focus Group.
>
> HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: The Proterozoic
>
> Oxidiation of the Earth\'s Surface: Andrew Knoll

Project: Contribute to identification of biological signatures in
sedimentary rocks,

> a major goal of long term Mars exploration. This project contributes
> studies of trace metals and microfossils that help shape debate about
> biomarkers that can be applied to solar system exploration. Isotopic
> fractionation of metals by microorganisms holds promise as a
> biosignature applicable to extraterrestrial materials. Research on Mo
> complements ongoing research on Fe.

HAR: Environmental Changes in the Context of Biological Evolution During

> Neoproterozoic on the Yangtze Platform, a Snowball Earth?: Andrew
> Knoll, Yanan Shen (NAI Post-Doc Fellow)

This research contributes substantially to the identification of
biological signatures in sedimentary rocks, a major goal of long term
Mars exploration.

JPL 1: Laboratory/Observational Studies of Biogenic Greenhouse Gases on
the

Early Earth: Yuk Yung

Our prototyping and technique development work is aimed at future
participation in the Mars exploration program, specifically using
landers or other in situ probes. The development time frame is such that
deployment will not be possible until after the 2007 MER (Mars Explorer
Rover) launch opportunity.

JPL 2: Astronomical Detection of Biosignatures from Extrasolar Planets:

Victoria Meadows

> Modeling tools and spectroscopic results that we produce will be
> valuable for basic research in many NASA research programs. These
> include Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Sun-Earth
> Connection and the Origins program. Such programs provide basic
> research that feeds into mission definition and design for robotic
> exploration of the solar system. Our tools and results will be useful
> in designing future NASA Discovery proposals that seek to discover or
> characterize extrasolar planets.

MBL: Physiological Regulation of Cytosolic pH in a Eukaryotic
Acidophile:

> Mitch Sogin, Linda Amaral-Zettler (Post-Doc Fellow), Peter Smith
> (Post-Doc Fellow)

Research: Building perspective on Mars or Europa environments and the
search

> for life. Our acidophile research provides ideas on: 1) what sorts of
> energy requirements are needed by organisms that may exist in acidic
> environments on Mars (Fe^+3^ -produced acid) or on Europa (H~2~SO~4~);
> 2) general adaptation mechanisms, e.g., passive mechanisms for
> tolerance are energetically favorable to active mechanisms
> (Acidophiles do not have high energy demands, and they protect the
> cytosolic environment using passive rather than active mechanisms);
> and 3) searching for life, i.e., where to look and what to expect to
> find across different environments.
>
> NASA missions and equipment development: 1) Technical advances for
> preparing sensing and collecting equipment to use; 2) Developing
> methods for culturing extreme organisms that provide experience for
> maintaining cultures of extraterrestrial life; 3) Modify equipment as
> needed, e.g., the self-referencing polarographic probe (needed to
> measure O~2~ fluxes from acidophiles) was modified to measure redox
> reactions with heightened sensitivity at acidic pH, when it did not
> work earlier at a pH less than 4; and 4) Preparing acid-tolerant
> equipment may be important for Europa exploration, even more than for
> Mars. This relates to our new understanding of ferric iron as an acid.
> Depending on the state of the iron on Mars, water and ice there may be
> very acidic. This will corrode, if not dissolve, metals in search
> equipment. There, sulfuric acid has been detected, and this is a much
> stronger acid than iron.

**MBL: Eukaryotic rRNA Evolution: Origins of \"Crown Group Taxa\":
Mitch**

**Sogin**

It is likely that someday we will visit extraterrestrial sites where
multicellular

> forms are capable of survival. If complex life has arisen on other
> planets, knowing the evolutionary history of multicellular forms on
> Earth will be critical in the possible interpretation of multicellular
> fossils from extraterrestrial sources.
>
> This research provides basic information about the evolutionary
> history of life on this planet. Our understanding of the evolution of
> complex metazoans is reasonably well described, but we still have only
> a poor understanding of basal metazoan lineages. Furthermore
> information about detailed relationships both between and among
> animals, fungi, and plants is sketchy.

MBL: Eukaryotic Origins and the Evolution of Cellular Complexity --

Eukaryotic rRNA Evolution: Early Diverging Eukaryotes: Mitch Sogin

#  MBL: Eukaryotic Origins and the Evolution of Cellular Complexity -- 

#  Evolution of Tubulins: Mitch Sogin

Projects (2 immediately above) have the same NASA Mission statement. Any
search for life on other planets or small solar system bodies must
consider the possible occurrence of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic
microbes. Through our research project investigations, we have shown
that a wide diversity of eukaryotes are just as capable of adapting to
anoxic conditions as are prokaryotes. Therefore, extraterrestrial life
detection must consider the molecular biology and biochemistry that is
characteristic of eukaryotes.

MBL: Diversity of Eukaryotes in Thermophilic and Mesophilic Environments

that might Resemble Early Earth\'s Biosphere: Mitch Sogin

This project concentrates on surveying hydrothermal vents as part of a
comprehensive biodiversity survey of extreme habitats on Earth. Knowing
the full range of biodiversity in extreme habitats on Earth allows us to
formulate hypotheses on \"what to expect\" in extraterrestrial
biospheres.

MBL: Genes That Regulate Photosymbiotic Interactions: Rebecca Gast

One of the major events in the evolution of eukaryotic cells was the
acquisition of endosymbionts and their subsequent transformation to
organelles. By studying the regulation of gene expression in symbiotic
relationships, we plan to gain insight into how symbionts are acquired
and maintained, why certain symbioses form, and what the early steps in
organelle formation may be. This information could potentially help us
to understand more about how eukaryotic life on Earth evolved. It would
provide insight to help plan missions in the search for life beyond
Earth.

MBL: Hyperthermophiles of the Hydrothermal Vent Subsurface and Their

Environmental Tolerance: Andreas Teske

Hydrothermal vent environments may serve as a possible analog to
extraterrestrial habitats. By defining the critical chemical and
physical environmental extremes that limit growth and survival of
hydrothermal vent archaea, we can define the conditions under which
these organisms can be found. This has applications for directing
searches for comparable life on other planets, as a part of future NASA
missions.

**Mission to Early Earth Focus Group: Ariel Anbar (HARV, JPL1), Steven**

**Mojzsis (CUB), Robert Buick (UOW)**

A rational search for life beyond Earth requires a concept of the
conditions under

> which life originates and begins to evolve, plus the environmental
> \"fingerprints\" of primitive biospheres. This concept must be
> informed by a solid understanding of the only planet on which life is
> known to exist\-- the Earth. Hence, study of life and the environment
> on the early Earth is a critical component in developing mission plans
> for astrobiology space missions. This is the underlying rationale of
> the Mission to Early Earth (MtEE) Focus Group. The projects under
> development by MtEE will provide information particularly useful to
> missions like the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission, by elucidating
> the history of oxygenic photosynthesis and the oxygenation of the
> Earth's atmosphere. \[Note: Also listed in Group #2 with TPF
> Mission.\]

**MSU: Center for Genomic and Evolutionary Studies on Microbial Life at
Low**

**Temperature: Michael Thomashow**

Our proposed research studies will provide significant new information
relating to multiple goals outlined in the \"Astrobiology Roadmap\"
listing. These include: 1) Explore how life evolves on the molecular,
organism and ecosystem levels; 2) Determine how the terrestrial
biosphere has co-evolved with the Earth; 3) Establish limits for life in
environments that provide analogues for condition on other worlds; 4)
Determine how to recognize the signature of life on other worlds; and 5)
Understand the response of terrestrial life to conditions in space or on
other planets.

> The information from our research project will thus be relevant in a
> general way to planning future NASA missions and may provide specific
> information relevant to detection of past (or present) life on other
> planets and the potential of transmitting \"hitchhiker\" microbial
> life to other sites in the solar system.

PSU: Timescale for the Evolution of Life on Earth: Molecular Evolution

Approach: Blair Hedges

Resolving the timing of different stages in the evolution of life on
Earth will directly or indirectly affect most NASA missions related to
astrobiology. Detection of life elsewhere relies strongly on
biosignatures, with their interpretation based on the evolution of life
on Earth. Solar system missions (e.g., Mars, Europa): Biosignatures in
the substrate (e.g., sediments) are important. Extrasolar missions
(e.g., Terrestrial Planet Finder): Biosignatures in the atmospheres of
planets are emphasized. Biosignatures will have a greater intrinsic
value as we more clearly resolve the relationship between the evolution
of oxygen-producing microbes (e.g., cyanobacteria) and the development
of Earth's atmosphere. Also, knowing when (from molecular clock
evidence) different groups of prokaryotes arose on Earth and their
relationship with the terrestrial environment may help focus searches
for evidence of past life on other planets in our solar system.

PSU: GEOPULSE (Gene Expression of Observations for Planetary Life

Study): Susan Brantley, Katherine Freeman

Project Aspect #1: Focus on the carbon isotopic composition of total
biomass, lipids, or RNA: Important way to study fossil or modern
microorganisms from the environment without growing them in the
laboratory. These developing techniques will be important tools in the
search for past or present microbial life on Earth or Mars.

> Project Aspect #2: Our research project may reveal genetic responses
> of hyper-thermophiles to geochemical changes. The evolutionary history
> of the genes identified can then be investigated using phylogenetics.
> The project may also help identify biosignatures of microbial life and
> to understand early events of microbial evolution on Earth, important
> for understanding what would have been possible on early Mars.
>
> Project Aspect #3: To investigate microbial biomass (fossil or modern)
> on other planets, we need methods that do not depend on our ability to
> grow the organisms. Analysis of organisms capable of AMO (anaerobic
> methane oxidation) currently also requires development of such
> techniques. Therefore, development of our new FISH-SIMS technique
> (fluorescence in situ hybridization\--secondary ion mass spectrometry)
> is fundamental to the goals of astrobiology.

PSU: Environment of Prebiotic Earth and the Origin of Life: Prebiotic

Chemistry of Hydrogen Cyanide: Robert Minard

Research Comments: HCN is ubiquitous in the Universe, and its chemistry
leads to both amino acid and purine/pyrimidine production. One of the
most facile reactions of HCN is its self-polymerization to yield a
heterogeneous polymer that may be present on moons, in comets, or in
interplanetary dust particles that NASA and ESA are planning to probe.
Past/Current Missions: In fact, prior missions (Giotto, 1985-1992) and
now Stardust (1999-2006) have given evidence of macromolecular
nitrogen-containing solids consistent with HCN polymers or related
aqueous altered products. It is absolutely essential that we know how to
characterize macromolecular solids that NASA and other missions
(Cassini-Huygens, 1997-2008) will likely encounter as we explore
potential biotic or prebiotic chemistry in the solar system.

> Future Missions: Efforts to characterize macromolecular materials
> fully and effectively are key to adequate preparation for probe or
> sample return missions. Our research work on the HCN polymer system
> and its aqueous alteration products contributes to NASA endeavors in
> the probe or sample return missions.

PSU: Evolution of Atmospheric O2, Climate, and the Terrestrial
Biosphere:

Hiroshi Ohmoto

> Background: A popular geological theory postulates that the oxygen
> content of Earth's atmosphere did not reach its present level until
> about 2 billion or 600 million years ago. However, results of a
> variety of our investigations suggest that Earth's atmospheric oxygen
> content rose extremely rapidly, reaching its present level in less
> than 30 million years ago and maintaining about this level since then.
> Emergence of cyanobacteria (first oxygen-producing organism) occurred
> about four billion years ago.
>
> Research Results: Our study strongly supports the theory that a major
> divergence of organisms, producing a variety of aerobic and anaerobic
> organisms, occurred about four billion years ago. It is probable that
> Earth\'s early atmosphere already contained appreciable amounts of
> ozone (produced from oxygen) and methane (produced by methanogenic
> bacteria). This research provides a theoretical justification for
> NASA\'s program to detect life on other planets by searching for ozone
> and methane in their atmosphere.
>
> More Research Results: Our research also studies a variety of rock
> geochemical characteristics, e.g., Ce anomaly, Fe3+/Fe2+, content of
> redox sensitive elements, plus sulfur and carbon isotopic
> compositions. From these geochemical qualities, we have identified
> rocks that formed under different environments, e.g., oxic vs. anoxic
> or in different ecosystems. These various characteristics can be used
> to identify the atmospheric conditions and the potential of life (past
> and present) of other planets, thus relating to NASA missions.

URI: Subsurface Biospheres: Steven D'Hondt, Andreas Teske

> Results from this research will ultimately be relevant to the search
> for life on Mars and Europa, as well as to the search for
> biogeochemical signatures of life on more distant planetary bodies.

# 2. Earth Science Missions 

#  ARC: Future of Life: Rapid Rates of Change: Hector D'Antoni

Project Connection: Retrogressive study of biogeochemical cycles and
carbon

> cycle questions and meeting goals within: 1) NASA's Earth Science
> Enterprise
>
> & 2) Astrobiology Roadmap Objective #14: Determine resilience of local
> and global ecosystems through their response to natural and
> human-induced disturbances, as a model for planetary ecosystems.

## 3. Mars / Europa / Ganymede: Far Future Missions 

#  ASU: Organic Synthesis at High Temperatures: John Holloway, Peggy O'Day 

Research Project: To improve our ability to assess the potential for
organic synthesis on other bodies in our Solar System (e.g., Mars and
Europa) where hydrothermal processes are likely to have been active.
Experimental approach: Simulation of conditions that may exist elsewhere
in the Solar System, with attending technology spin-offs to enhance the
development of NASA flight experiments and instruments for future
missions.

#  CIW: Hydrothermal Organic Synthesis: George Cody, Robert Hazen, Russell 

#  Hemley, James Bischoff, David Ross

Data from these experiments will benefit planned missions to Mars and
Europa.

> Research Task 1: Abiotic Hydrothermal Synthesis: Establish a
> connection between prebiotic chemistry, instrinsic to deep-sea
> hydrothermal vents, and the emergent life.
>
> Research Task 2: Hydrothermal Chemistry: Monitor techniques to monitor
> directly hydrothermal chemistry and its effect on biological activity.
> Procedures and experimentation developed for \"direct\" monitoring of
> biochemical activity at extreme conditions to: 1) Form the basis of
> testing hypotheses for the feasibility of life in planetary
> environments; 2) Help in constraining mission parameters for the
> search for life on other planetary bodies; and 3) Use as testing
> ground in planning missions aimed at finding \"habitable zones\" in
> planetary bodies.

#  CIW: A New Molecular Recognition Instrument for Astrobiological 

**Applications: Marilyn Fogel, David Emerson, Robert Hazen**

> Protein chip-based molecular recognition technology is being developed
> as a method for detecting life on Earth and other solar system bodies.
> By using different chips, experiments can be designed to recognize a
> complex combination of molecular markers by selecting a series of chip
> surface chemistries to pull apart complex mixtures. We would like to
> develop this instrument concept and its capabilities for eventual
> adaptation to space flight and the in situ analysis of Martian soils.

**CIW: Theoretical Studies of Hydrothermal Synthesis Reactions: Everett
Shock,**

**Harold Morowitz**

> Theoretical components in Tasks 1 & 2 provide fundamental information
> to guide missions to both Mars and Europa. Task 1 = Energetics of
> Hydrothermal Ecosystems: Apply thermodynamic calculations toward: 1)
> establishing the viability of both biological and abiotic reactions
> relevant to astrobiological issues and 2) analysis of the potential
> for the abiotic synthesis of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
> detected in martian meteorites, e.g., ALH84001. Task 2 = Theoretical
> Foundation for Organic Synthesis Experiments:

Seeking to explain the ubiquity and origins of intermediary metabolism.

Ecogenomics Focus Group: Mitch Sogin (MBL), David DesMarais (ARC)

Although this work is not directly related to a specific NASA mission,
it does provide information important in the search for extraterrestrial
life. Life discovered on other solar system bodies would most likely be
microbial. Ecogenomics research studies for insight about early life: 1)
Field studies to understand the range of conditions present on early
Earth; 2) Seek to understand how microbial ecosystems affected the early
atmosphere and the biological processes that left traces of early life
in ancient sedimentary rocks; and 3) Contribute to the design of life
detection experiments and to expertise for interpreting geological
studies of samples returned to Earth.

JPL1: A New Molecular Recognition Instrument for Astrobiological

Applications: Marilyn Fogel, Kenneth Nealson

Research project: Develop the scientific portions of this intrument and
its capabilities, eventually adapting this instrument for space flight
to carry out in situ analysis of Martian soils.

#  JPL1: Coevolution of Life and Planets: Joseph Kirschvink

> Understanding life during Snowball Earth conditions has clear
> implications for detecting life on Europa and Ganymede. Work on
> characterization of bacterial magnetofossils may lead to detection
> criteria for identifying them in samples returned from Mars.

MBL: Eukaryotic Diversity in the Rio Tinto: Spain's Acidic/High Metal

Extreme Environment: Mitch Sogin

Understanding how microbial communities thrive under extreme conditions
is one of astrobiology's aims. Our study site, the Tinto River in Spain,
is considered a good model for study about life on Mars because its high
iron concentrations are thought to resemble conditions found on Mars.
Our diversity study provides important information about what kinds of
phylogenetically diverse microbes can live under acid and high metal
extremes. The physiological studies being done as a sister project to
our microbial diversity study may provide insights into how organisms
are able to adapt to the harsh environments most likely present during
the first appearance of life on Earth. This work relates directly to
NASA's goal to establish limits for life in environments that provide
analogues for conditions on other worlds.

MBL: Diversity and Physiology of Prokaryotes in Selected Thermophilic
and

> Mesophilic Environments That Might Resemble Early Earth\'s Biosphere:
> Mitch Sogin

This project informs NASA missions on life forms that are possible on
planets with anaerobic subsurface or hydrothermal habitats (e.g.,
Europa). An anaerobic C1 carbon cycle can be sustained, as long as
sulfate is available as oxidant. Such perspective about existence and
survival of life forms is critical background in considering and
planning missions to search for life beyond the Earth.

MBL: Origin of Life: Evolution of Proteins: Monica Riley

Ultimately, one hopes to be able to design useful experiments and
detection instruments applicable to material from other planets or their
moons. With a better picture of the biology and biochemistry of very
early life on Earth, we can use this information to help shape the
questions we will ask of materials derived from outer space.

# 

## 4. Space Exploration & Astrobiology: Philosophical & Societal Aspects 

#  CUB: Philosophical Issues in Astrobiology: Carole Cleland

My work on the nature of historical science and its differences from
classical experimental science plus my current work on the
nature/problem of \"defining\" life have significant implications for
missions. Perspective from my research (to characterize historical
science and classical experimental science) suggests a particular
preferred emphasis in design of future instrument packages for life
detection. This activity might best be done using a broad sweep
(historical science), rather than a series of controlled experiments
(classical experimental science).

#  CUB: Philosophical and Societal Issues in Astrobiology: Bruce Jakosky

> Considerations and activities in this project place NASA missions into
> the context of their ultimate goals with respect to the interests of
> the public. It also supports the NASA Administrator's views on why we
> are exploring the planets and universe.