Spacecraft Found on Mars Could Contain Earth Microorganisms

Scientists fear that microorganisms from Mars might spread to Earth, yet substantial natural material from it falls to our planet, including signs of life.

Perseverance rover is exploring rocks formed from an ancient lake at Jezero Crater in Arizona, searching for signs of microorganisms and carbon-containing organic molecules. Unfortunately, Perseverance’s instruments cannot guarantee success 100% of the time.

Beagle 2

Ten years ago, Britain’s Beagle 2 probe landed on Mars and then mysteriously vanished into space – until recently when images from Nasa’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) revealed its remains.

Beagle 2’s parachute and rear cover may have not fully opened upon landing, preventing its radio antenna from transmitting a signal back up when touching down. But its size, shape, colour features are consistent with those found on Beagle 2, as is its positioning within its expected landing area.

Beagle 2 was lost more than 10 years ago, yet its discovery is an emotional milestone for scientists. Colin Pillinger led its development from its inception until his untimely death in May 2014. Next year ESA plans to launch ExoMars, which follows in Beagle’s footsteps by using Beagle as its design inspiration to determine whether life ever existed on Mars.

Phoenix

NASA’s twin Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity roamed their landing sites during their exploration, but Phoenix remained stationary at one location in the northern polar region of Mars for its duration, using its robotic arm to probe into arctic terrain to seek signs of water history on Mars. Among its discoveries was evidence of water-ice on Mars as well as toxic compounds such as perchlorate that is toxic to microbes but could provide energy sources for their survival.

Phoenix carried several instruments designed to study the Arctic surface and its surroundings, such as a stereo camera made by Malin Space Science Systems called SSI and a mast-mounted weather station known as MET. MET was equipped with three temperature sensors fixed at different levels along its mast; these measured air pressure at various levels to produce temperature readings of atmospheric temperatures at different altitudes. Furthermore, this mast featured a wind strength and direction tell-tale located 2.3 metres above ground.

Ingenuity

NASA’s Perseverance rover embarked on its voyage to Mars in 2020 with an unusual addition: Ingenuity, a 4-pound mini helicopter. Dubbed an extraterrestrial Wright Brothers moment by NASA scientists, its purpose was to test powered flight capabilities within Mars’ thin atmosphere; an attempt made with off-the-shelf parts. It proved risky yet worthwhile!

Owing to an unexpected interruption on its 72nd flight (when one or more rotor blades contacted Mars’ ground and broke), Ingenuity still exceeded expectations; serving as a scout for its accompanying rover while providing new insights into its geography.

Although Ingenuity has since returned to Earth, her lessons will serve to guide future planetary flying missions such as Dragonfly – a quadcopter exploring Saturn’s Titan – with care, intelligence, and curiosity similar to hers. Thanks to the team at JPL we know it’s achievable!

Spirit

After traveling for over two Earth years, Spirit and Opportunity made their journey to Mars in 2004. Designed to investigate evidence of water on the Red Planet’s past, both rovers were equipped with cameras, spectrometers and rock abrasion tools for direct sampling; and were given their names following Columbia and Challenger space shuttle accidents.

Both rovers were given locations on opposite sides of Earth: Gusev Crater was in the northeast while Meridiani Planum lay to the southwest. Both missions were scheduled to last 90 days but both outshone this timeline.

One of the twins’ most significant discoveries was a patch of near pure silica – an essential ingredient in window glass production – and evidence of an ancient explosion on Home Plate, both low plateaus located at Mars. Other evidence pointed towards wetter conditions once present on Mars; including mineral formation such as sulfates and goethite which require liquid.