Tough Life On Mars

Scientists testing microbes that live in one of the most extreme, most Mars-like environments on Earth, in Antarctica, have determined that even those microbes wouldn't survive long on Mars. Using the "Mars room" at the Kennedy Space Center, in which Mars surface conditions are simulated, they found the UV radiation that pours onto the planet's surface would quickly kill the Earthly microbes.

Of course, it shouldn't be surprising that life which evolved on one world wouldn't do well on another, but the results of the study have some interesting implications. First, they suggest contaminating Mars with Earth life might not be the potential problem scientists had feared. Second, the study might suggest that life on Mars, current or extinct, may be found well under the surface, where it would be protected from the radiation. Third, if we ever decide to terraform Mars, using Earthly lifeforms to start may not work. Bio-engineering life to thrive on Mars, or using nonbiological techniques may by necessary from the outset.