Stowaway Earth Microbes May Survive on Mars, Contaminating the Search for Life

I'm skeptical we're contaminating Mars. I dunno, I'm having trouble because I know they check and double check all the sterilizing they do, plus all the harsh conditions of launch and radiation on the surface, but if UCF did these tests and microbes survived, I guess it's possible..

But if we have, why aren't there tests that have revealed this on Mars already. If they are right on the rovers or near them, that's basically the test area so it'd be the highest chance to find them..right?

In regards to seeding Mars, the tests cited in the article say the microbes couldn't reproduce so..there'd probably have to be more research or genetic engineering done to them for prolonged survival.

Kind of a good point CH.. that the test equipment its self could be called into question.

I would would think that life on mars (or anywhere for that matter) would evolve differently than our own, separating it from earth-born life......

also. this isnt really news.. This same theory was put out some time ago. maybe even on this site

@CoolHand

The current Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) were designed mostly to test for conditions that suggest the existence of liquid water. The upcoming Mars Science Laboratory will be bigger and have more tools suitable for testing actual life conditions.

What about the opposite? Can some Martian microbes/viruses that have not been detected by the instruments, attach them selves to something ,come back and survive the trip/sterilization? I believe this is more scary.

What about nearly a year's travel through the cold vacuum of space? Won't freezing and the lack of air pressure kill any biological things?

@vman; if they were coming back, then yes. But they are not. So far nothing we've put on Mars has had the engines or fuel to get off the Martian surface and through the atmosphere, and it won't be happening any time soon. That would be as large an undertaking as launching a craft from Earth, perhaps more so.

I think people are in general denial that life can exist by it self on other planets. Thats why we always try to find an excuse to point to that we are soooo super duper special and lucky here on earth and on earth ONLY. We found life here on in deep caves with out any sun light, found complex organisms living on hydro vents which are so hot its will melt your flesh off your bones in seconds. Yet we are in complete denial about space.

If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for VERY little. I think future generations will laugh at our narrow-mindness and ignorant stupidity.

I say seed mars with life

Seed away! Let's start with the entire staff of Goldman Sachs and anyone who has ever worked for them, all politicians who've taken their money, and Sarah Palin!

@bridgecross: Thanks for the info. Don't we have plans to take back samples any time soon?

@Icezzz The difference between deep lightless caves, thermal vents in the deep ocean, and space is radiation. We've found life can survive at previously thought ridiculous conditions of high and low temperatures on Earth, but radiation is lethal at the levels seen in space on planets without significant atmospheres ala the moon or Mars.

Also, the life forms we've found in random places on Earth are still around all the rest of us life, whereas on other planets there is only barren wasteland. What is it supposed to evolve from to handle those harsh conditions?

In closing, while future generations may look back and think us narrow-minded and ignorantly stupid, I get the joy of looking at your right now and thinking the same thing.

Turns out, earth life did stowaway on Curiosity. The "Seven Seconds of Terror" was not completely as shown: Watch Youtube video, NASA Failed to Prevent Earth Life Contamination of Mars.