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

######### NASA SPACE MISSIONS 

######### Group #2 

######### Planned & Named 

#########  Under Study for the Future

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

-   **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**

The information below is organized by NASA mission. A brief description
and associated website are given for each mission, followed by a list of
the NAI projects involved. Projects 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. Astrobiology Explorer (ABE)**

Proposed mission: Space-based IR telescope to identify organic molecule
signatures indicative of life chemical processes.

Web (press release): <http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=8122>

##  ARC: Chemical Building Blocks: Scott Sandford

Proposal submitted for ABE mission: Chemical analysis project.

**2. Europa Future Landers (After Europa Orbiter \> 2008)**

Mission planning for future Europa landers, which might be \"hydrobots\"
or remote controlled submarines that could melt through the ice and
explore the undersea realm of Europa.

Web: <http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/jup_missns/jup-europa.html>

**ASU: Exploring for Habitable Environments on Europa: Ron Greeley**

> Project: Directly relevant to this mission, targeting high priority
> areas on Europa for critical remote sensing data for future landed
> operations.

MBL: Protist Diversity in Extreme Environments: David Caron, Rebecca
Gast

Research on protists: Phototrophic and heterotrophic protists are
essential components of all aquatic ecosystems. Cold-water ecosystems
are predominant features of the world's oceans because the vast majority
of this water is permanently below 2-5˚C. Adaptation to extremely low
temperature is therefore a fundamental aspect of marine ectothermic
species. Studies of microorganisms living at extremely low temperature
potentially have relevance to the possible presence and evolution of
extraterrestrial life on Europa.

> Fundamental to understanding the life processes of a major portion of
> the living biomass on Earth is understanding the structure, diversity,
> and evolution of cold-water protistan communities, along with the
> adaptations allowing these assemblages to flourish. Our genetic and
> physiological studies with protists from extreme low-temperature
> environments are also timely with regard to the general consensus that
> a liquid ocean exists under the icy surface of Europa.

**3. Europa Orbiter \> 2008**

Though the mission is 'on hold' now, its main goals are to: 1) determine
the presence or absence of a subsurface ocean at Europa; 2) characterize
the three-dimensional distribution of any subsurface liquid water and
its overlying ice layers; 3) understand the formation of surface
features, including sites of recent or current activity; and 4) identify
candidate landing sites for future lander missions.

Web: <http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/europaorbiter/>

**ASU: Exploring for Habitable Environments on Europa: Ron Greeley**

> Project: Directly relevant to this mission, targeting high priority
> areas on Europa for critical remote sensing data from the orbiter.

###  Europa Focus Group: Ron Greeley, Chair (ASU)

Interest in Europa and its astrobiological potential, plus mission
planning.

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

Hemley, James Bischoff

> Project: Procedures and experimentation for \"direct\" monitoring of
> biochemical activity at extreme conditions to form the basis of a
> testing hypothesis for feasibility of life in planetary environments.
> Research involves 2 aspects: 1) abiotic hydrothermal synthesis
> (establish a connection between prebiotic chemistry instrinsic to
> deep-sea hydrothermal vents and emergent life) & 2) hydrothermal
> chemistry (techniques to directly monitor hydrothermal chemistry and
> its effect on biological activity). Research contribution to space
> missions: Constraining mission parameters in the search for life on
> other planetary bodies and can be used as testing ground in planning a
> mission aimed at finding \"habitable zones\" in planetary bodies. Data
> from these experiments will benefit planning Europa missions.

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

(UCLA)

Europa missions: Related to Evolutionary Genomics Focus Group research.

This inter-team research 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 relates to the same missions as those listed for the
> Evolutionary Genomics Focus Group.

####  UCLA: Astrobiology at UCLA: An Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach to 

**Research and Education: William Moore**

> W. Moore has relied heavily on the magnetometer results from the
> spacecraft Galileo to interpret and model the lithospheric structures
> of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. (Margaret Kivelson, Principal
> Investigator of the Galileo magnetometer, is a colleague at UCLA).
> Moore is now developing concepts for instruments that can be flown at
> Europa to test his end-member models for Europa's internal heat
> balance.

######## 

######## 4. International Space Station: Biological Experiments

## Web: [**http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/facts/HTML/FS-004-HQ.html**](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/facts/HTML/FS-004-HQ.html)

## Biological experimentation on terrestrial life in an extraterrestrial location, for project described below.

MBL: Relationship of Genetic Changes to Phenotypic Changes in Organism
--

Environment Interactions: Michael Cummings

With specific regard to color vision, our studies suggest light
wavelength

> boundaries that might reasonably be applied in assessing the potential
> of extraterrestrial environments for supporting vision of complex
> organisms.
>
> More generally, the development and validation of analytical methods
> for genotype-phenotype relationships establishes a rigorous design and
> analysis model for mission-based biological experimentation. Our
> models provide a means for analytically isolating genetic factors from
> other influences on phenotype such as environment, epigenesis, and
> experimental error. One consequence is that phenotypic effects of
> space environments can be more properly characterized and
> distinguished from genetic effects.

**5. Mars Sample Return \> 2011**

Use lander technologies to reach the surface and rover technologies to
reach areas with suitable samples, i.e., the most scientifically
interesting. Orbiters may play a key role in capturing the sample in
Mars orbit. Put together a program to develop additional technology
capabilities unique to sample return, e.g., handling samples to preserve
them. Bring samples of martian rocks, soil, and atmosphere back to
Earth. Develop procedures to analyze all samples in containment to
determine if they are hazardous, then with assurance they are
non-hazardous, study them for scientific information.

Web: <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/technology/samplereturn/index.html>

#  ARC: Early Microbial Ecosystems : David Des Marais 

> Systematics for interpreting microbial fossil record relate to
> astrobiological studies of martian samples.

###  Astromaterials Focus Group: David McKay, Chair

Mars meteorite research background relating to possible Mars life: Mars
mission

> planning for site selection, instrument requirements, operational
> requirements, and returned sample requirements. As bridge between NAI
> & Planetary protection community: Plans to make strong recommendations
> for the Mars sample return mission.

**ASU: Cosmochemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites: Laurie Leshin**

Analyses performed with this project help to focus analytical techniques
for any

NASA sample return missions, including Mars sample return.

**ASU: Submicroscopic Study of Microbial Fossils in Chert: Thomas
Sharp**

> Project: Mineralogical and ultrastructural criteria for biogenicity.
> These criteria are important in searching for biosignatures in
> returned Mars samples.

**CIW: Studies of Organic Matter and Water in Meteorites: Conel
Alexander,**

**George Cody, Erik Hauri**

> Martian meteorite studies help guide questions to be addressed &
> sample types to be returned by future Mars missions.

CUB: Setting the Stage for the Origin of Life on Earth: Steve Mojzsis

> Project work is directly applicable to planning NASA missions. It also
> provides the necessary background knowledge for better evaluation of
> geological data returned from other planetary surfaces, as well as for
> planning Mars sample return. In this case, it may be argued that study
> of the ancient terrestrial rock record is akin to the study of \"Mars
> on Earth.\"

HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: Permo-Triassic Mass

Extinction and its Consequences: Andrew Knoll

> The non-destructive elemental mapping techniques used in our research
> will find application in microchemical analysis of future samples
> returned from Mars or elsewhere.

HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: Molecular and
Isotopic

> Approaches to Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry: John Hayes,
> Daniel Schrag

Our research asks geobiological questions about the Earth. However,
techniques

> we develop may find application in molecular and isotopic
> investigations of extraterrestrial samples.

####  JPL1: Coevolution of Earth and Mars: Yuk Yung

Our research will have an impact on Mars Sample Return (MSR) programs by

> focusing on what material we should look for on Mars. These important
> Mars materials are those essential for life and terraforming.

**JPL1: Fractionation of Transition Metal Isotopes: Ariel Anbar**

> There is need for an improved \"arsenal\" of biosignature tools to
> search for evidence of life in materials brought back to Earth in
> future Mars sample return missions. Metal isotopes may be one such
> important biosignature tool.

JPL1: Mineralogical Biosignatures Formed At and Near the Cell-Solution

Interface: Jill Banfield

Project: Directly relevant to the search for evidence of current or past
life on Mars. Most of the material sampled on Mars or returned to Earth
for analysis will be minerals. Study of the nature of mineralogical
biosignatures and their interpretation is still in its infancy.
Mineralogical biosignatures represents an important frontier for NASA.

JPL1: Organic Molecules as Biosignatures: Marilyn Fogel, Gene McDonald,

Michael Storrie-Lombardi

Permafrost and cryptoendolithic microbial communities are both analogs
of

> possible past or present biota on Mars. Lessons we learn about the
> interactions of these organisms (from both their mineral matrices and
> the chemical traces left behind) are relevant for Mars exploration.
> This background is critical for planning the analysis of returned
> samples.

####  JSC: Mineral Biomarkers: Kathie Thomas-Keprta

> Project: Key to understanding possible early life on Mars, influencing
> design of all Mars robotic missions, including the Mars sample return
> mission.

**JSC: Carbonate Globules in Igneous Rocks: David McKay**

> Mars sample return mission: Possibility of carbonate globules may
> influence the site selection and instrument choice for the types of
> rocks collected on Mars sample return. Clearly, additional studies of
> carbonate globules in igneous rocks contribute to future science
> requirements for Mars missions.

**JSC: Cold Regions: Microbial Ecology and Biomarkers: John Lisle**

# Project: Examine cold region life on Earth and use the information to help choose optimum sites for Mars life searching with the Mars sample return mission: Sample collection will be highly influenced by likely spots for extant or past life (where to search for life relative to glacial geology and morphology, either past or present). Mars polar ice: Glacier-like features, and many morphologic features on Mars have been interpreted as glacial deposits and modifications of the landscape. Cold regions on Earth: Insight into the best places for exploring Mars. Frozen-over Mars lakes may have been similar to Earth's Antarctica analogs, so we would know how to locate them on Mars, how to sample them, and what to look for in terms of sediments, biofilms, fossilized microbes, and fossilized viruses.

**JSC: Hematite on Mars: Possible Biogenic Origin: Carl Allen**

> Depending on Mars 2003 and 2009 mission results, the Mars sample
> return site selection, analysis instrument selection, and operation
> planning may be influenced by results of this project. The Mars sample
> return mission may be directed to a site containing iron oxides with
> the expectation that biology may be preserved in such deposits.

**JSC: New Technique Development & Application: Simon Clemett, Andrew
Steele**

Project: Developing the next generation of analytical instruments and
techniques

critical for analyzing samples from the robotic Mars sample return
mission.

> Factors: Small sample amount to be returned from Mars; thus, probe
> techniques will be absolutely required to understand the location,
> phase carriers, and textural relationships of indigenous organic
> compounds in the Mars samples. Long lead time to develop & test needed
> techniques (next 10 years). Project techniques here also help evaluate
> returned Mars samples (preliminary examination) for any potential
> hazard to terrestrial life.

#  JSC: Rock Varnish and Microbes: Carl Allen 

> Project: Focus on possibility that rock varnish on Mars may be an
> environment for past or even extant life & feed directly into
> operations planning for the Mars sample return rover mission. Input:
> Designing this mission for sampling and analysis of rock varnish (both
> for organic compounds and biosignatures of fossil or extant life),
> using tools and procedures designed to sample rocks with apparent
> varnish and instruments to analyze the varnish for possible
> biosignatures.

JSC: MILDI Development: David McKay

> Proposal: MILDI (Mars Immunoassay Life Detection Instrument) for Mars
> lander/sample return mission, plus include it in planning for the
> construction of a Mars sample return facility on Earth. Basic concept
> and instrument design for MILDI are also adaptable to laboratory use
> for Mars sample return testing for organics and for life, plus spinoff
> use in clinical laboratories and biohazard detection.

JSC: Morphologic Biomarkers and Microbial Ecology: David McKay

Document reliable biomarkers (distinctive morphologies) & apply data to
Mars

> missions: Images of rocks and soils returned by the Mars 2009 landers
> and rovers. Closeup cameras some larger microbial Earth features,
> e.g., stromatolites, clusters of microbes, biofilm, filaments, and
> even larger individual microbes. Document morphology of these features
> in typical terrestrial situations & provide a useful database for Mars
> missions. The Mars lander/sample return mission may have: 1) chemical
> analysis experiments to provide supporting data, combining morphology
> with chemical mineralogy to search for reliable biomarkers and 2)
> tests to identify fossilized microbial life dependent on reliable
> morphological clues for microbial features, e.g., individual cells,
> colonies, filaments, and biofilms. Even if replaced by minerals, some
> morphological evidence may remain indicated by phosphorite fossils.

#  JSC: Biogenic Mineral Weathering: Sue Wentworth

Project: Applies to Mars meteorites and useful for analyzing Mars
samples to be

> returned by the Mars robotic mission. Help identify the effects of
> weathering by either ancient microbes or by extant microbes.

####  PSU: Biogeochemical and Environmental Influences on the Composition of 

####  Late Archean Kerogens and Extracts: Katherine Freeman 

Our research focuses of the evolution of the early Earth biosphere. This
work is considered background research for the Mission to Early Earth
Focus Group.

> In our research investigation of an uncertain ancient Earth
> biogeochemistry, we are in a position analogous to what we might face
> when trying to unravel the biogeochemistries of other planets.
> Therefore, our research helps NASA missions by setting the foundation
> for extraterrestrial geochemical studies in the search for life
> elsewhere in the solar system. It also will help establish tests for
> the indigeneity of biomarkers in ancient rocks from Earth and
> elsewhere in sample return missions.

PSU: Biochemistry of Archaea and Bacteria: Biochemistry of Psychrophilic

Organisms: Jean Brenchley

Project research: Relevant to NASA's missions that search for
extraterrestrial life and work with the detection of life in samples
returned to Earth.

SCR: Self-Replicating Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry -
Benner\'s

Lab: Steven Benner

> Served on a panel to review planetary protection protocols (relates to
> the Mars sample return mission).

####### 

####### 6. Mars Scout 2007 Missions

Small "Scout" missions will be selected from science community
proposals. These might involve airborne vehicles or small landers as
investigation platforms. The first Scout mission launch is planned for
2007.

Web: <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/2005-plus.html>

####### Part A: Concepts for Possible 2007 Launch 

Group of 10 Selected for Funding: 6 Months of Continued Study
(July-Dec., 2001)

NAI members (6) are involved with 5 of the 10 selected Scout mission
concepts.

Web:
<http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.News/NASA.News.Releases/Previous.News.Releases/01.News.Releases/01-06.News.Releases/01-06-13.Mars.Scout.Concepts.Selected>

**ARC: Habitable Planets: Robert Haberle**

> Pascal: Network of 24 weather stations on Martian surface for
> continuous monitoring of humidity, pressure, temperature, and other
> measurements for 2 years. R. Haberle is PI for this mission concept.

**ASU: Cosmochemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites: Laurie Leshin**

> SCIM (Sample Collection for Investigation of Mars): Sample atmospheric
> dust and gas using aerogel with a 'free-return' trajectory to return
> samples to Earth, plus analytical techniques for Martian samples. L.
> Leshin is PI for this mission concept.

JPL1: Astrobiology Funding for Geology: Jeff Plescia

> Urey: A surface rover to allow the absolute ages of geological
> materials to be remotely determined for the first time on any planet.
> J. Plescia is PI for this mission concept.

JPL1 & ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Frank Carsey, PI
(JPL1)

& Jack Farmer, Co-I (ASU)

> CryoScout: Designed to use heated water jets to descend through
> Martian polar ice caps, with potential to probe depths of tens to
> hundreds of meters to measure composition and search for organic
> compounds. PI from JPL1 (F. Carsey) and Co-I from ASU (J. Farmer) for
> this mission concept.

**UCLA: Astrobiology at UCLA: An Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach
to**

**Research and Education: David Paige**

Artemis (multi-Scout mission proposal): Three small landers &
micro-rovers on the Martian surface (with 2 directed to the polar
regions) to explore the surface and shallow subsurface for water,
organic materials and climate. D. Paige is PI for this mission concept.

####### Mars Scout 2007 Missions

# Part B: Other Associated Research

# JSC: MILDI Development: David McKay

# JSC: Immunoassay Life Detection Test: David McKay, David Warmflash (Post Doc)

> a\. The Mars Immunoassay Life Detection Instrument (MILDI) concept was
> included on 3 of the Mars Scout technology development proposals,
> though none of the three were awarded development seed money. However,
> we anticipate that MILDI will be included on later Mars 2007 Scout
> proposals when that opportunity is available. Basic concept and
> instrument design for MILDI are also adaptable to laboratory use for
> Mars sample return testing for organics and for life, plus spinoff use
> in clinical laboratories and biohazard detection.
>
> b\. Plan to propose a version of our instrument called the Mars
> Immunoassay Detector (MID) that will land a scientific probe on Mars
> (as part of the 2007 Mars Scout mission group).

**7. Mars Smart Lander & Rover / Mobile Laboratory 2009**

####### NASA proposes to develop and to launch a roving long-range, long-duration science laboratory that will be a major leap in surface measurements and pave the way for a future sample return mission. NASA is studying options to launch this mobile science laboratory mission, likely 2009.

Web: <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/2005-plus.html>

###  Astromaterials Focus Group: David McKay, Chair

Mars meteorite research background relating to possible Mars life: Mars
mission

> planning for site selection, instrument requirements, operational
> requirements, and returned sample requirements. As a bridge between
> NAI & Planetary protection community: Plans to make strong
> recommendations for the 2009 Mars mission.

#####  ASU: Microbial Fossilization Processes in Extreme Environments: Jack Farmer

> Project research: Important contributor to develop payload
> instrumentation concepts for Mars landing missions. Understanding
> requirements for preservation of fossil biosignatures: Helps to
> establish criteria for recognition of legitimate microfossils in
> ancient martian sediments, an important objective driving Mars sample
> return. Recognition of factors important in controlling microbial
> fossilization: Important applications in development of exploration
> strategies for a Martian fossil record.

####  ASU: Role of Impacts in the Origin, Distribution & Evolution of Life: David 

**Kring**

Project: Role of impacts in regulating planetary habitability has
important applications in assessing potential for life on Mars. Modeling
of impact-generated hydrothermal systems on Mars: Important implications
concerning site selection in exploration for past Martian life.

####  ASU: Environmental Conditions of Early Earth: Paul Knauth

> Project: Important implications regarding site selection for future
> astrobiological missons to Mars: 1) Work with brines to identify kinds
> of measurements and instrumentation needed to detect such environments
> on Mars during future missions; 2) Experiments with eutectic brines to
> understand potential of such environments to sustain life and/or
> preserve biosignatures of a subsurface Martian biosphere; and 3) Work
> on martian brines suggests there may be many locations where
> hypersaline waters exist in the shallow crust of Mars, thus creating
> potential near surface oases for life.

#  CIW: Biological Studies of Hydrothermal Systems: Alan Boss

> NASA Science Definition Team member for 2009 Mars Lander & Rover
> (includes a mobile scientific laboratory & rover missions).

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

Hemley, James Bischoff

> Project: Procedures and experimentation for \"direct\" monitoring of
> biochemical activity at extreme conditions to form the basis of a
> testing hypothesis for feasibility of life in planetary environments.
> Project involves 2 aspects: Abiotic Hydrothermal Synthesis (establish
> a connection between prebiotic chemistry instrinsic to deep-sea
> hydrothermal vents and emergent life) & Hydrothermal Chemistry
> (techniques to directly monitor hydrothermal chemistry and its effect
> on biological activity). Research contribution to space missions:
> Constraining mission parameters in the search for life on other
> planetary bodies and can be used as testing ground in planning a
> mission aimed at finding \"habitable zones\" in planetary bodies. Data
> from these experiments will benefit planning Mars missions.

**HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution:
Neoproterozoic-Cambrian**

**Environmental Change and Evolution: Andrew Knoll, John Grotzinger**

Digital mapping techniques (under development by Grotzinger) are
applicable to

investigate Martian geology (Mars lander expeditions in 2009 and
beyond). Mars

lander and rover missions: Perform scientific studies of Mars and
demonstrate

technology for accurate landing and hazard avoidance in traveling to
difficult-to-

#  reach sites.

######  JPL1: Development of Life Detection Methodology and Technology: Kenneth Nealson 

Project work interfaces very closely with Mars 2009 (and beyond)
explorer/rover

missions. Supplies both a scientific rationale for non-Earth-centric in
situ life

detection, plus a definition of approaches and instrumentation valuable
for these

#  missions.

JPL1: Organic Molecules as Biosignatures: Marilyn Fogel, Gene McDonald,

Michael Storrie-Lombardi

Permafrost and cryptoendolithic microbial communities are both analogs
of possible past or present biota on Mars. Lessons we learn about the
interactions of these organisms (from both their mineral matrices and
the chemical traces they leave behind) are relevant for Mars
exploration. This background is critical for design of in situ
astrobiology instrumentation for Mars.

**JPL1: Astrobiology Funding to the US Geological Survey: Lisa Gaddis,
Jeff**

**Johnson, Jeffrey Plescia, Kenneth Tanaka**

Research samples: Examine hyperthermophile communities in Yellowstone
National Park (Wyoming) and tufa deposits in the Mono and Searles Lake
Basins (California). Research: Determine whether extremophile habitats
can be characterized with remotely-acquired spectral data and whether
the presence of fossilized organisms can be recognized with
remotely-sensed data. Spectral and spatial aspects of such data are
needed to recognize particular extremophile environments via remotely
sensed data. Such work contributes to planning and interpretation of
data acquired from surface or orbital platforms for Martian sites.

####  JPL1: Fe Isotope Biosignatures Group: Clark Johnson

Project: Work with NASA/JPL scientists to explore the possibility of
developing a miniature mass spectrometer, capable of being launched on a
lander mission for in situ Fe isotope analysis on other planetary
bodies. Precision of the analyses must be quite high, likely requiring
reference to an internal standard. Also, new methods of sample
introduction must be developed (such as reduction to Fe carbonyl).
Progress To Date: So far, we have shown that reductive processing of Fe
in rocks and minerals does not fractionate Fe isotopes, which is an
essential first step toward developing in situ analysis. Parallel work
by JPL scientists is focusing on ion counting methods that will meet the
required precision.

#  JSC: Cold Regions: Microbial Ecology and Biomarkers: John Lisle

> Project: Examine cold region life on Earth and use the information to
> help choose optimum sites for Mars life searching with the Mars 2009
> lander & rover missions.

####  JSC: Mineral Biomarkers: Kathie Thomas-Keprta

> Project: Key to understanding possible early life on Mars, influencing
> design of all Mars robotic missions, including the Mars 2009 in situ
> lander mission. Presence of magnetotactic bacteria on early Mars has
> great implication for site selection, sample collection strategy, in
> situ analysis instrument selection, and confirming early oceans.
> Project: Studies showing some Mn oxides are possible excellent
> biomarkers, thus providing new information on what to look for with
> various Mars missions. If Mn minerals found on Mars can be
> characterized well enough, they may tell us that microbes played a
> part in their formation.

#####  JSC: Hematite on Mars: Possible Biogenic Origin: Carl Allen

Depending on Mars 2003 mission results, the Mars 2009 lander site
selection,

analysis instrument selection, and operation planning may be influenced
by

> results of this project. The Mars 2009 lander may be directed to a
> site containing iron oxides with the expectation that biology may be
> preserved in such deposits.

#  JSC: Rock Varnish and Microbes: Carl Allen 

Project: Focus on possibility that rock varnish on Mars may be an
environment for past or even extant life & feed directly into operations
planning for the Mars 2007 rover mission. Input: Designing Mars 2009 for
sampling and analysis of rock varnish (both for organic compounds and
biosignatures of fossil or extant life), using tools and procedures
designed to sample rocks with apparent varnish and instruments to
analyze the varnish for possible biosignatures.

#  JSC: Morphologic Biomarkers and Microbial Ecology: David McKay

Document reliable biomarkers (distinctive morphologies) & apply data to
Mars

> missions: Images of rocks and soils returned by the Mars 2009 landers
> and rovers. Closeup cameras Some larger microbial Earth features,
> e.g., stromatolites, clusters of microbes, biofilm, filaments, and
> even larger individual microbes. Document morphology of these features
> in typical terrestrial situations & provide a useful database for Mars
> missions. 2009 Mars lander mission may have chemical analysis
> experiments to provide supporting data, combining morphology with
> chemical mineralogy to search for reliable biomarkers.

#  JSC: Biogenic Mineral Weathering: Sue Wentworth

> Project: Applies to Mars meteorites and also useful for analyzing Mars
> observations in the 2009 Mars mission. Robotic in situ analysis
> instruments (AFM: audio-frequency modulation or SEM: scanning electron
> microscopy) on the Mars 2009 lander and rover mission: Conceivable to
> have sufficient resolution to detect fine-scale weathering textures &
> document enough to compare to our database of weathering textures, in
> order to help identify the effects of weathering by either ancient
> microbes or by extant microbes.

#  JSC: MILDI Development: David McKay

> The Mars Immunoassay Life Detection Instrument (MILDI) concept will
> likely be submitted for Mars 2009 Lander & Rover proposals when that
> opportunity is available. Basic concept and instrument design for
> MILDI are also adaptable to laboratory use for Mars sample return
> testing for organics and for life, plus spinoff use in clinical
> laboratories and biohazard detection.

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

# Biosphere: Rosemary Capo, Brian Stewart, Hiroshi Ohmoto, Lee Kump, James Kasting

Project: Work on isotope systematics of the ancient Earth and relate it
to ongoing development of an in situ geochronology instrument for
Martian surface analysis. Geochronology instrument: Currently being
developed by Project PIs in collaboration with JPL personnel, funded by
NASA's Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP).

SCR: Self-Replicating Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry -
Benner\'s

> Lab: Steven Benner

Worked with the JPL Team Grand Challenge project (Dr. Frank, Chair) to

design instrumentation for *in situ* analysis of Martian organics.
Project focus is

identifying the chemical signatures of life on other planets.

# 

**8. Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) \> 2012**

The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) will study many aspects of planets.
This includes: 1) their formation and development in disks of dust and
gas around newly forming stars; 2)

the presence and features of those planets orbiting the nearest stars;
3) the numbers of planets at various sizes and places; and 4) their
suitability as an abode for life.

Web: <http://tpf.jpl.nasa.gov/whatis/whatis.html>

####  ARC: Early Microbial Ecosystems : David Des Marais 

Leading preparation of major white paper: Goals & objectives for seeking
biosignatures & evidence of habitablity in extrasolar planets. Search
for inhabited extrasolar planets: Recognition of biospheres with the TPF
mission.

**ARC: Habitable Planets: Richard Young**

> Plans to derive stratospheric temperature profiles for different O2
> and O3 amounts for early Earth's atmosphere. This calculation is
> highly relevant to NASA's proposed Terrestrial Planet Finder mission.
> The radiative transfer code is being developed for study of habitable
> planet models (GCMs: General Circulation Models \... planet
> atmospheric circulation). It will be used in conjunction with the
> existing photochemical model of James Kasting (Pennsylvania State
> University NAI Team) and the LBL (Line-by-Line) radiative transfer
> model to derive synthetic IR (infrared) spectra of atmospheres
> containing various amounts of O2.

CUB: Astrophysical Constraints on Planet Formation: John Bally

> The current Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is of fundamental importance
> to our work, as it is the only telescope that can deliver the angular
> resolution needed to study circumstellar disks at the distance of
> Orion (1500 light years). Our continuing survey of nearby star forming
> regions (NOAO) will provide fundamental constraints on the likely
> abundance of planets around normal stars. Such information has
> provided a constraint on design of the Terrestrial Planet Finder
> mission, as well as for future extrasolar planet missions.

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

TPF Mission: 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: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: Neoproterozoic-

**Cambrian Environmental Change and Evolution: Andrew Knoll**

> Understanding the physical environmental conditions of Earth during,
> before, and after snowball glaciation is also immediately relevant to
> projects on astrobiological characterization of extrasolar planets,
> currently under development by NASA.

HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: The Proterozoic
Oxidiation

of the Earth\'s Surface: Andrew Knoll

Our research also aims to provide sharper constraints on the atmospheric
chemistry of the early Earth, which is highly relevant to biodetection
research on extrasolar planets. One of the proposed search strategies
for extra-terrestrial life is to look for evidence of atmospheric
oxygen, using spectroscopic observations of extra-solar planets. It is
generally accepted that the Earth's atmosphere was largely devoid of
free oxygen for the first half of its history. Hence, such a search
strategy requires a mechanistic understanding of the evolution of
atmospheric oxygen. Our research project is aimed squarely at this
issue.

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.

JPL2: Astronomical Detection of Biosignatures from Extrasolar Planets:
Victoria

Meadows

> Research program: Provide practical, timely, and much-needed
> recommendations and guidelines for development of future NASA missions
> that seek to detect and characterize extrasolar terrestrial planets,
> such as TPF (Terrestrial Planet Finder) and its second generation
> follow-on, Life Finder. Modeling tools and spectroscopic results that
> we produce for extrasolar planetary exploration will also be valuable
> for basic research in many other NASA research programs that feed into
> mission definition and design for robotic exploration of the solar
> system. Our work will drive the design and survey strategies of these
> missions, and it will also provide an initial solid theoretical basis
> for the interpretation of the results of these missions.

####  Mission to Early Earth Focus Group: Ariel Anbar (HAR, 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. Projects
> under development by MtEE should provide information particularly
> useful to development of the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission, by
> elucidating the history of oxygenic photosynthesis and the oxygenation
> of the Earth's atmosphere.