Searching for ET: look harder, says NASA

According to a major new report, all future NASA missions should integrate astrobiology from the outset and the organization should expand the range of possible AND indicators that it tries to detect.

The report, sponsored by NASA, was prepared by the US National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). It was written by a specially appointed academic committee under the direction of Barbara Sherwood Lollar, P.Geo., University of Toronto, Canada.

Other members include astronologist Victoria Meadows of the University of Washington, geoscientist James Kasting of Pennsylvania State University and chemist biologist Gerald Joyce of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the United States.

Committee members recommended expanding the current data sources used for the search for extraterrestrial life – called biosignatures. In particular, protocols must be established to detect "agnostic" biosignatures – evidence that may indicate the presence of life forms with no molecular or metabolic similarity to those found on Earth.

The report also recommends improved frameworks to better distinguish living and non-living phenomena and to better understand how biosignatures can persist for long periods of time.

When planning future NASA missions, particular attention should be paid to the detection of potentially sparsely dispersed life – such as rock-eating microbes – and life that may exist on the surface of the planet.

In terms of engineering, the report recommends stepping up efforts to design life-saving life detection technologies. The authors specify the development of instruments, intended for missions in space and on the ground, capable of removing light from ambient stars in order to better image environments that can generate favorable environments for the environment. ET technology.

"The measurements, equipment and specialized analyzes needed to take full advantage of space missions include some that exist outside the traditional areas of space science, highlighting the need for non-collaborative, interdisciplinary cooperation and collaboration. with organizations outside NASA, "says the report. .