Science Expeditions to Planetary Analogs

The search for life on Mars and elsewhere in the solar system requires life detection technology to be tested in real environments before flight. Dr. Bonaccorsi describes field expeditions to various planetary analogs on Earth. The purpose of these is to gain scientific knowledge through a deeper understanding of the target environments, which informs how extreme and cryptic life can be discovered and studied. We also want to test technologies, system interactions, and analytical protocols enabling exploration and scientific breakthrough. At the remote sites, we train teachers, educators, and the next generation of scientists and space explorers. Last but not least, we have a burning desire to excite and engage the public worldwide as well as the local communities in the exploration vision through analog activities here on Earth.

Speaker: Rosalba Bonaccorsi, SETI Institute & NASA Ames Research Center