Title: Seeding the Universe with Life
Description: Life is unique and for us, precious. Life is endangered on Earth and but has an immense future in space. We can secure this future by seeding new solar systems with microbial representatives of our family of organic gene/protein life. Some of these directed panspermia missions can lead to into intelligent species who will further expand life in space. When the galaxy fills with life, our human existence will find a cosmic purpose. 

We can send microorganisms to seed with life new Solar Systems nearby, and in star-forming clouds further in the galaxy. We can use solar sails to launch fleets of microbial capsules, and aim them using precise astrometry. The capsules will be captured by new planets, or by asteroids and comets that will deliver them to planets later. By aiming at newly forming solar systems, we shall not interfere with any alien life.

We can send hardy microorganisms suited to diverse conditions in extreme environments, and include rotifer and tardigrade eggs to jump-start higher evolution. Calculations show that a few kilograms can seed a nearby solar system, and a few tons can seed dozens of new worlds in star-forming clouds. 

What is the cosmological outlook for this new life? Research on meteorites suggests that life can grow on asteroids and comets in this solar system and in others. Similar materials in the galaxy can support immense populations for billions of future eons. These new branches of life can produce intelligent species who will expand life further in space, and seek to extend life indefinitely. 

Securing and expanding life in space is motivated by life-centered panbiotic ethics. These ethics are based on the unique place of complex life in Nature, and on the unity of all life. We belong to life, which implies a human purpose to safeguard, propagate and maximize life in the universe. Filling the galaxy with life can give our human existence a cosmic purpose. 

The book describes the science and ethics of expanding life in the galaxy, to secure an immense cosmological future for our family of organic gene/protein life. The author, Prof. M. N. Mautner is a research scientist who investigated these subjects for over 30 years in scientific papers and popular science journals. The book presents these subject in easy popular science style, followed by reprints of the key papers.
Subjects: astrobiology, life in space, cosmology, panspermia, directed panspermia, planets, galaxy, life-centered panbiotic ethics
Places: The Milky Way Galaxy
Time periods: the future