# Presentation: 066621

## Technologies for Astrobiology

***Exploring Earth’s Extremes***
***24-25 July 2001***
***Greg Schmidt***
***Astrobiology Program Technologist***
***Astrobiology Integration Office Lead***

## Technologies for Astrobiology

***The Charge: Find life beyond Earth***
***By:***
- Accessing extraterrestrial habitable zones
- Developing broad-range analytical techniques to detect life signatures
***The Problem:***
- Key technologies not currently available
- Search for biological signatures requires fundamentally different approach
***The Approach:***
- Leverage major industry/university technology investments
**Biotechnology**
**Micro/nanotechnology**
**Information technology and robotics**
***Test in relevant terrestrial environments where possible***
- Emphasize NASA/Astrobiology unique applications/needs

## Astrobiology Technology Planning - History

**Astrobiology Workshop (1996)**
- Deep Water Sounding on Mars Workshop (1998)
- Deep Drilling on Mars Workshop (1998)
- Arctic and Antarctic Undersea Workshop (1998)
- Hydrothermal Vents Workshop (1998)
- Piggyback Missions for Astrobiology Workshop (1998)
- Advanced Measurement Systems for Astrobiology Workshop (1998)
- Ecology and Evolution Beyond the Planet of Origin (1998)
**Astrobiology Roadmap Workshop (1998)**
- Genomics on the International Space Station Workshop (1999)
- NASA Astrobiology Research _x0008_Laboratory Workshop (1999)
- NASA Center for Computational Astrobiology symposium (1999)
- Astrobiology technology sessions at ICES conferences (1999-2000)
**ASTID program initiated (2001)**
**Exploring Earth’s Extremes workshop (2001)**
***Details available at http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/index.html***

## Astrobiology Technology Planning - History (cont’d)

***Major workshop conclusions***
- Missions to extraterrestrial habitable zones, past and present, as well as technologies for accessing and exploring them, not in current planning
- Some basic technological capabilities (MEMS, Microfluidics etc.) available, but integrated laboratories required for in-situ life detection not currently funded
- Although large biotechnology inventory exists in industry and academia, NASA needs require focused application efforts
- State of the art of sample management -- sample acquisition, preparation, distribution, and preservation -- is seriously deficient and precludes the use of the vast array of capabilities available in miniaturized analytical instrumentation.
**Problem shared with DARPA, biotech industries and may provide basis for collaborative development.**

## Astrobiology Technology Planning - Current/Future

***OSS Technology Steering Group***
- Astrobiology is key participant
- Integrated Office of Space Science Technology Database under development
- Includes both mission-related, funded technology development efforts as well as future needs

## Technology Philosophy

***NASA investment strategies based on technology readiness:***
***Low Technology Readiness Level (TRL)***
- Concept Phase, early development
- Funded through open, peer-reviewed technology research
***Mid TRL***
- Increasing levels of integration, testing in relevant environments
- Coordinated through key NASA centers of excellence
***High TRL***
- Flight testing, operations
- Funded primarily through existing programs

## Technology Philosophy (cont’d)

***Technology funding profiles based on mission drivers***
- No current plans for habitable zone access within planetary program
***Recommendations: ***
- Augment Mars surveyor program to achieve critical astrobiology goals
- Establish Astrobiology technology program to forge ‘on-ramps’ to Astrobiology missions
***Astrobiology needs a set of focused missions to allow detection of life’s signatures in the solar system***

## Science Drivers/Technology Needs

***Major Science Drivers***
- In-situ life signatures and planetary protection
- Extraterrestrial Habitable Zone and Earth Extreme Environment Access
- Searching for Life’s Extremes
- Space Genetics
***Critical Technology Needs for Astrobiology***
- Integrated, miniaturized biological instrumentation suites
- Mobility/Access Systems
- Focused biotechnology/bioinformatics