Notes WESTEX 2
March 21, 1939

  Check with Rossi with tespect to the distribution of the minutes

and also to find out what's  been done in communicating with Bronk

to the Russ ian Academy  and similar representation might be made if
gOSPAR is going to have a continuing committee/have to wait

his report on that.

  Could I summarize by saying that a cant inuous scanning both
geographically and tempararly would give us a measure of the global
metabol ism for the compoonds that are not so very difficult to detect
by spectra-analysis and which are really quite crucial and these are

carbo-hydrogen.  If you get marked fluctuations not only in appearance
but in intensity over different intervals we can really get a much more
detailed picture of the planet geography, so to speak,which should

certainly be possible to nail this down  absolutely and give actually

some characterization of it in terms  of seasonal change and so on.
We won't really know very much about the intimate life history of the

biota there and for this, unless someone has a better idea than what I!ve

been able to come up with we are going to have to come down and take

samples.

Discussion was initiated by Davies who indicated something of the
basic missions of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Originally JPL was a
contractor to the Arm9 Ballistic Missiles Agency and was transferred over

to NASA:  Their genera1 role is to build a #iew prototypes prior to a
later production design and at the present time they also give technical
direction to the Atlas Program by Convair. They will generally
subcontract for the first and second stages  and they will do guidance

and perhaps even build the  last stage in their own bhops. They tiff
are also immediately concerned with the payload and instrumentation.


Notes WESTEX 2

-2-

They are anxious to get together  early in the game so that any instruments

can be built into the payload.  The Atlas Vega program is underway with

a design target of June 1960.  At NASA headquarters a few working groups

have been set up.  Newel I is in charge of most of these and one working

group now in existence is Jastrow's on Lunar Exploration.  Planetary

working groups have not yet been organized.  NAS will probable advise

and promote but its role is receding  with the development of NASA.

It is not a review body at the present time.

Then proceding to the agenda, a number of i terns were taken up.

YESTEX-I was reviewed thoroughly and after considerable discussion

in which Urey participated,these  reports were adopted as faithfully

reflecting the sense of the meaning.  There was unanimous agreemebt
that a contamination load of lo8 organisms per missile, al ive,

rgpresen ted a  maximum tolerance and that every effort should be made

to destroy any tviable organisms.  As it was finally put to Hibbs, the main

point with fespect to the moon was that the biologists would not

criticize him if the sincere effort to minimize contamination was not

entirely successful and a few spores were landed on the moon.  However,

very faulty design would be indicated and subject to great criticism

if a single spore were landed on Mars.  Venus is still questionable and

until its temperature characteristics can be settled finally, it will

be necessary to treat it with the same caution as Mars. We had some

discussion with Urey concerning the possibility of local moisture on

the moon, and as we agreed (I) that this probably did not afford an
                                           that
opportunity for indigenous  evolution of life, and (2)/while it was

still conceivable that there might be a habitat for life, this would

L, necessarily be highly localized.  I read the quotation from Blagonravov,

No one present had any ideas, thoughts or hints of any kind whatsoever

about the Rujssian program.  Urey felt that the general tenor of


Notes WESTEX 2

-3-

scientific work in Russia is so spotty that therr would be some question

whether we could rely on their decontamination efforts.  We still face

the serious question of how to come to terms with Russian scientists.

Urey indicated that there would be some geochemistry meetings in
Germany this coming August and he would endeavor to set up a Symposium
on the origin of life in which he would make every effort to include

discussions of planetary biology.  He apparently was counting on Oparin

to be present.  Calvin indicated that there would be the next Biochemical

mmfaxmmxx Congress in Moscow in 1961.

(2) Apparently no one will be going east to Cambridge and there is

no prospect of direct communication with Rossi. After some discussion

we we agreed that we should at least consult Rossi before making wide

dissemination of the reports. However, certain1 y no one could be embargoed

on indicating his own ideas.

  (3) As another specific point tsr Davies suggested that JPL or some

comparable vehicle representation should be on the COSPAR subcommittee

which evidently would be appointed to look further into technical matters

connected with steriliaation.  Aside from the assistance such a person

could offer.in the development of policy,  if would be invaluable to have him

come back so as to be able to interpret that policy in practice.

  (4) "Washington Date1 i ne"  was the source of a statement that NASA

was taking a hard look at the moon shots and the contamination question.
No one knowu where this leaked from although it must have been from

the dastrow meeting.


Notes WESTEX 2

-4-

  (5) Suggestion was made to give some publicity to the question
of
of planetary contamination through the medium of submission of an article
to Priroda among other scientific journals. ( I might perhaps feel that

i t would be appropriate to wai t to hear from the  CETEX committee but

I will consult them about it.)

  (6) There was then some discussion of the possible ultimate use of

germ-free animals although these were considered to be fregile.

  (7) Urey raised the question whether micro-glganisms would be

capable  of attack1 ng some of tne carbonaceous chondri tes as substrates

for microbial  act ion.  Unfortunately very few of these specimens are

ava i lable and the Chicago Museum and the BtitHish Museunknann are not

very coopera t i ve.  I should perhaps contact Harry Brown from this point

of v iew. ( I should contact Brown about getting some specimens) Urey

also mentioned that white chondrites when heated turn black all the

way through.  Nothing is known of the chemical basis of this and tt might
have some relationship to the low albedo of the mo,on. He had some feeling
that the stoney meteorites might have a different origin from iron meteorites

since they have vastly different ages in years.  He al so thought i t would

be most worthwhile to do reflection spectra on chondrites

(8) Sinton (11 promised to ask for a set of reprints for further
   distribution

(2) Gave some data on the radiation temperature of Mars which
apparently varies  from about -70" C. to +40" from the ground.
The air temperature may vary very much less.

(9) The main anomaly was the high absorption  by Mars at higher

wave length which follage does not show.  When, however, he looked not
at the one micron badbut at 3.6~ 3.56 and 3.43, he found that these


No tesWESTEX 2

-5-

were relatively prominent.        d
                  No such bans were found on the moon.  Urey was

quite convinced that this is evidence of I ife.  He argues  that if life

had evolved on Mars there must have been oceans at some time. He calculates

that the present amount of water would escape in some few thousands or
mill ions of years and therefole it must be constantly repien38lited.  Later

he gave a model where this water may be trapped under glacial rubble

at the equatorial bulge.

  (10) Sinton also reports that the atmosphere of Mars certainly has

no more methane or nitrous oxide than does that of the earth and may have

none at all.

  ( 1 I )  Weaver suggested a scanni ng across Mars with narrow badf i 1 ters.
(He w&l1 evidently spend  some time in thinking of design of possible

scanning spectrometers.  I wrote some sort of a design myself involving

the use of f i I ters or gaseous absorption ccl is  and m light want to do some

reading and thinking about th is. 1 The reflectinces of organ i c compounds

for various wave lengths shou Id be looked into. The literature on this

seems to be very limited.  Their conclusion was that there was urgent

need for processing  of a reflectance spectra library in order to.back up

the anaJ ys iti of planetary surfaces by probes.  Models should be used which

give the type of di?Fuse reflection which will be measured

  (12) Urey then quoted his version of the evolution of planetary

atmospheres on Venus the earth and Mars. On Venus, oxygen could not

escape  and is trapped with carbon  owing to the absence of photo

of photochemical or photosynthetic reduction. Also there can be no water,

the hydrogen having escaped.

  (13) He referred to confirmatory ebservations by amateur  as t ronomers

of the hare at the crater Alphonsus.


Notes WESTEX

-6-

  (14) Mintz  reviewed some aspects  of the Venus atmosphere above

the reflecting layer.  Surface temperatures of 500" K.  have been indicated

aR by radio measurements at 3.5 and 9 centimeters.  There is, however,

a contradiction since this would imply a very deep atmosphere which

contradicts certain other observations.  He would feel that there would

be fairly even temperatures in the gradient both from the equator to

the pole and from the dark to the light sides.

  (15) With. regard to communications, Hibbs found that a T-V I ine
would cost someS30,OOO whereas a telephone line would be relatively
inexpensive, and they are setting one up for contact wiLb NASA?

  (16) Next meeting Sunday May 3, at Pacific Grove,   Send post-card

to Van Niel by April 15th.

  (17) What can be accomplished by reflection spectrometry of Mars

would be ultimately a  study of the geographic and temporal variation

in the prevalance  of organ i c compounds :  the CH bonds and more optimistically

CO and NH.  These would tell us something of global metabolism on a large

scale.  The radar roughness experiment would be much less conclusive.
The interpretation of the Moon measurements is that there is essentially

specular  reflection.

+ J
\    (18) Order seven copies of  the space bbndbook and send to Urey,

/r\  Novick, Stent, Weaver, Thomas, van Niel and Sinton.

(19) Sinton will arrange to send us reprintsl

(20) Landings on Mars may be scheduled for about 1965. This gives

us unti I the end of  1962 to complete our specifications for biological


Notes WESZFEX

-7-

experiments.

  (21)  lnqui re what action if any Bronk had taken, and whether he

will reiterate a message  to the Russien Academy of Sciences.

  (22) There does not seem to be very much more promising from remote

approaches besides reflection spectra and these  have to be validated to

a larger  extent from surface obsersat ions.  (Write to Sagan about this.)

  (23) Premature exploration by manned  vehicles pose a serious threatl

to biological study.

(24) Under present design the last stage will accompany the payload

in orbit, being separated only by slight spring action.

  (25) Towar&the end of the discussion there yas mainly a concern

of what might be gleaned  from a Mars approach. Sinton wil I send a
                     account

somewhat more considered/appxea& of what possibly could be gotten from

that.  He seemed to feel that there was not a great deat or that it

was questionable how much more a probe would give thaffi more terristrial

observations.  ( I suspect myself that this may be somewhat colored by his

own predilection for telescope  astronomy. )

  (26) What are the eleatric fields in the upper atmosphere? Perhaps

should question Bracewell about this.  The upshop is that as far as

immediate experimentat work is concerned we should:

          (1)  set up for more deta i 1 ed background on reflectance
      spectra  on terrestrial objects, and

          (2) microbial attack on these meteorite smmples.


Notes Wes tex -2

-8-

1 should consult Ginston to see  if he can give me any more interest

or background on the ref lectence spectra quest ion.  One wonders how much

might be done from microwave analysis.

  (27) For the Mars probes one is talking about a 300 pound payload

of which 30 to 30 pounds may cons is t of i ns truments.

  (28) Should stress to Rossi that nothing should be considered.

accepted as a formal resolution
      I         unti 1  it had been possible to distribute

i t beforehand in dupl icated form.  This can now be considered to be the

case for the WESTEX-I series  of statements.  If nothing else this was
an important reason to convene the group together otherwise, we  could

never be quite certain whether this was a considered judgment on the

part of the entire group.

  (29)Calvin, Marr and myself will be a subconnnlttee to look into

subcontracting infra-red reflectance measurements                           -. I


Preliminary studies on Planetary Biology

  At the request of Prof. Bruno Rossi, acting for the NAS Space Science Board,
Prof. Joshua Lederberg convened a group of biologists at West Coast universities
to review some problems of policy in the space research program (particularly bio-
logi cal contamination), to suggest some tangible experimental approaches to the
detection of life on other planets, and to stimulate broader interest on the part
of biological scientists generally so as to evoke further proposals for experimen-
tation. This groupphas met on two occasions so far: February 21, 1959 (Stanford) and
March 21, 1959 (Jet Propulsion Labs., Pasadena); a next meeting is scheduled for
May 3, 1959 (Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove). In ad-
dition to the members listed below, we have had representatives from the Stanford
Research lnsti tute, and from JPL and NASA (A. Hibbs and R. Davies). We have reported
to the NAS through Rossi and Odishaw at the Washington office, and to NASA via Hibbs
and Davies, and also by letter to Jastrow (on the lunar exploration working group
at NASA headquarters). We have also reported to COSPAR (CETEX) by correspondence
with Hughes and with Peter Alexander.  A jargon, self-indicated name for our group
has been "WESTEX". Its university members have been:   (I) signifies one mtg. attended

U. of Cal i fornia (Berkeley): 1   U. of Cal.  (Davis): 1  U. of Oreqon:

Calvin    Chemistry
Mazia( 1)  zooi ogy
Stanier(1) Bacteriology
Stent    Vi rol ogy
Weaver    Astronomy

  Marr    Bacteriology     Nov i ck    Biophysics
             I
I    (La Jolla): , Cai* Ins'* ;;o;;;hynoio~y:
1 Urey (I) Chemistry  >I Horow' tz
                 Stanford University:
                              \

The composition of the group therefore reflects           Van Niel   Microbiology
a balance between diversity of interest and locale      Kraeskopf Geochemistry
and compactness of size, and convenience of assembly.     Lederberg Genetics
Doubtless we could profit by special talents of other     (recorder)
members, but the group should not be enlarged to the
point where frequent and easy assembly becomes difficult,
or where frank and casual discussion is inbibited.

While many members doubtless came to the first meeting with some sense of amusement
and fr8vol i ty, it is obvious that the group as a whole is anxious to devote itself to
tackling the problems of biological exploration with earnest endeavour. Many of its
members are recognized as leaders in their own scientific fields, and in their academic
communities. They have many other responsibilities. Nevertheless, there was unanimous
enthusiasm for the continuation of its studies, and for meetings at relatively fre-
quent intervals for mutual education and discussion. For this purpose, and to bridge
the gap between exploratory discussions and preliminary experiments on one side, and
tangible proposals and instrumentation for payloads on the other, we will require a
substantial measure and continuity of financial support. In this proposal, several
grades of support are indicated for more and more comprehensive activities. While
the last and largest items might be deferred pending the elaboration of more explicit
proposals, we should have prompt verification of support for our current discussions.
Minutes of Westex's first meetings are appended. The first meeting (Westex-I) was
mainly devoted to problems of policy in celestial contamination, in view of urgent
needs for the CETEX-COSPAR meetings.  In brief we concluded that a basic polioy of
rigorous decontamination of space probes was both essential and feasible, -- modern
methods of sterilization having been overlooked in other discussions. At the second
meeting, this policy was reaffirmed. We then heard from Sinton on infra-red reflection
spectra of Mars, which have furnished virtually conclusive evidence for `vegetation'.
We are digesting a number of ideas for improving the quality of this type of
information from `safe' (viz. distant approaches), and this will doubtless be the
main topic for the near future. Finally we have in mind the careful preplanning of


experimenta based on `soft landings', especially on Mars, predicating these for
about 1965. This will allow somewhat over two years for decisions on the most
efficient types of experiments, leaving an equal length of time for the develop-
ment and testing of the corresponding instrumentation.  This timetable while not
oppressive still does not allow for an indefinite waste of time.  If proper1 y sup-
ported, perhaps this might be one program that can be pursued with reasonable dili-
gence and care rather than frantic haste. There is of course the possibility that
the schedule may be accelerated (or delayed) by unforeseen technical factors, or
by the pressure of international competition.  Specifications for the vicinal probes
are perhaps already under substantial pressure of time.


Proposal: Westex (A)

Travel, Communications LI)(II)(IIUM16lllmllll for continued meetings of the Westex

proup.  B 6,000 per year.

This is based on holding about IO meetings per year at various locations. There
is a substantial advantage in meeting at different places, not only for
the convenience of its peripheral members, and to help assure their attendance,
but also to make further contacts with other local scientists.

While the travel costs are reduced by our regional grouping, this rather facilitates
our meeting more often and more effectively for a given appropriation. In
addition, there are substantial telephone charges for related business-- the more
so to make the most effective use of frequent meetings.  It is likely that not
every member will be able to attend every meeting. On the other hand we would
profit greatly by being able to invite occasional distant `consultants'-- e.g.
Fred Sinton at Westex-2.  Admittedly, the developmmnt of a field as novel
(in the U.S.) as astrobiology requires some expense for just the education of
the workers who may participate in it.

If permissible, some of these funds (actually an insubstantial sum) should be
avai I able for the purchase of reference materials for the use of Westex members.
On the other hand,at this stage, the time of Westex members is made available
without cost other than expenses.

Westex (B)

Publication of background information; "Handbook of Pi anetary Biology"

From the first discussions with Dr. Rossi,  it has been evident that a critical
requirement for the participation of U.S. biologists in space research is the
collection of background information in a convenient form. This would include
resumes of the Westex and `Eastex' meetings, the essentials of present and
prospective vehicle capabi 1 i ties, and the environment (in the vehicle) for
experimentation, and a critical discussion from the bioloqist's standpoint of
available information on the environemnt of interplanetary space and the
various planets. Most of this information can be found in the astronomical
and other literature, but we know from our own experience how difficult it
is for a biologist,who has not given much previous thought to extraterrestrial
sc i ence, to acqui re this background.  For example many of our colleagues still
believe that the capability for planetary probes is decades away (which, hoepfully,
is not true) so that it would be pointless for them to attend to this challenge.
While some member of CETEX may be able to rob the time from his other duties
to prepare such resumes, this really is a substantial job, and there is some
problem in finding a sufficiently informed enthusiast to do the work. Fortunately
Mr. Carl Sagan may be avai lable for some months this summer, and perhaps again
after he completes his dissertation in astronomy (planetary atmospheres) at the
Yerkes Observatory. A xp proposed budget would be S&,000 for a (part-time) salary
to Mr. (later Dr.) Sagan as consultant to Westex, plus $3,500 for incidental
costs in secretarial work, duplication, travel, reference materials. Mr. Sagan
might have several functions: a) in the preparation of the consolidated reports
of Westex (and, with their approval) Eastex for, perhaps, journal pub1 ication; b)
as an adviser to Westex, particularly in the review of existing literature, and c)
in the preparation of the more extensive handbook.  This might have some 60-100
pp. The means of its dissemination is open to further discussion -- either infor-
mal distribution to some few hundred leading scientists, as a mimeographed
bulletin, or publication by NASA or by a commercial publisher (which should not
be difficult to arrange, if this is ehe best course).


Westex (C) Exploratory experiments. 810,000 -- 50,000

The design of payload instruments will have to be backed up by a sut&antial
amount of laboratory work, since the rh analytical methods are limited by
restrictions on weight, closeness of approach, automation, and the communi-
cation bandwidths.  For examp l e, there is relatively little published infor-
mation on infrared xgf& reflection spectra of various materials, as would
be comparable to Sinton's measurements on Mars. Before any member of
Westex commits his owntime and resources, to the point of preparing a detailed
proposal of laboratory work involving large ecale support, some exploratory
observations should be made in one or another laboratory, or perhaps most
conveniently on a subcontract basis with some institution such as Stanford
Research Institute. A For example, the elation of Sinton's work, and its
use as the basis for vi ci nal probes, would be greatly facilitated by the
measurement of diffuse reflection spectra from model spheres coated with
various substances (e.g., cellulose; pastes of photosynthetic bacteria). Un-
questionably many similar questions will arise (and have arisen). It would
be most expeditious if funds were available to help support exploratory trials
on points which arise in our discussions.  While, in terms of this proposal,
these would be administered by one responsible grantee (Stanford University)
it is understood that these would be available for expenditures at other
institutions as will give the most expeditious results in these preliminary
stages.  Further development will be on the initiative of a scientist who
undertakes the responsibility for pursuing a particular program, and will
prepare his own budget request for this.

The scope of these explorations will probably be influenced by the funds that
NASA is prepared to offer for them.  I can visualize effective use of at least
810,000 per year for a rather limited scale, or perhaps 850,000 i f we can
have some leeway in purchase of equipment and in preliminary instrumentation
towards payload designs. Any more extensive expedditures should certainly be
made on the basis of expl ici t projects, following these explorations. These
are, of course, uncommonly expensive as they require the development of new
equipment modifications; in any case, even conmercially available equipment
in the particular field of molecular spectroscopy is far from inexpensive.


D.  Possible Stanford projects.

lq@&$f .

    This is a preliminary statement concerning the possible continua-
tion of Sagan's present work after he completes his dissertation at Yerkes.
He has been studying the spectra of the major planets and is interested in
the identification of some lines with more complex molecules, e.g., amino
acids, as must be expected to be formed photochemically on the basis of
Miller's experiments.  He is interested in further model experiments on
the extent of organic accumulation, especially in gravitational fields--
which has an important bearing on the possibility of organic sediments,
e.g., under the Jovian oceans.  This is precisely the same work as is
needed to support experimental designs in ultimate probes to these planets,
and it fits very closely with the Martian models, in which he is no less
interested.  I would propose to use the opportunity of Sagan's work as a
consultant to Westex (proposal B) to lay the groundwork for a more detailed
proposal.  This would doubtless appear as an application over his own signa-
ture as responsible investigator,
possible.              though I would support this in every way

    This statement is made to illustrate one way in which interim
support for our group can help to build up momentum for research in
planetary biology.

    As concerns my own participation, apart from recording these
conferences and exciting the interest of ~qy (sometimes still diffident)
colleagues in biology, I would feel most at hsme in any personal laboratory
work in contact, rather than vicinal, experiments.  If we develop an inter-
national policy of space exploration that assures an uncontaminated field
of exploration, I should be interested in developing techniques of cultiva-
tion and assay for use with soft landings.  In view of the indicated timetable,
I would not need special financial support for another two or three years,
especially if some exploratory resources are available from proposal C.

J. Lederberg