Originally published July 3 2005
Advisory panel: NASA must check for dangerous life forms before sending manned mission to Mars
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to CNN.com, the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) is urging NASA to conduct more research on life on Mars before sending a manned mission to the red planet, to ensure that returning astronauts don't bring back microbial life that may damage Earth's ecosystem.
The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG), which was established to assist in the scientific planning of Martian exploration, said that astronauts could inadvertently carry microbial life back to Earth.
"The most significant risk identified is that associated with the possibility of transporting a replicating life form to Earth, where it is found to have a negative effect on some aspect of the Earth's ecosystem," MEPAG said in a report published this month.
"Most scientists would agree that the probability of a negative consequence is very low, but the consequences could potentially be very large."
Alternatively, terrestrial microorganisms transported to Mars might pose a "forward contamination" risk to Martian life, the panel added.
In 2004 U.S. President George W. Bush announced plans to send astronauts back to the moon by 2015 as a stepping stone for further manned trips to Mars -- perhaps by 2030.
But MEPAG recommended that a robotic mission to return Martian soil and air samples to Earth for analysis was required before a manned mission could be approved.
"Hazard determination is complex, and involves the understanding of possible hazard to Earth's biosphere, crew health, and potential spacecraft and habitat equipment and materials.
Data collected by NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which have been studying geology on opposite sides of Mars for more than 15 months, may help scientists address those issues.
Studies of Mars' upper atmosphere and determining potential sources of water -- which could be broken down into breathable oxygen and hydrogen fuel -- were also considered priorities.
NASA will send a stationary lander, named Phoenix, to study Mars' icy northern plains in 2007.
It will look for potential habitats for water ice and for possible indicators of current or past life.
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