Life On Mars

Many scientists argue that if we want to conduct a serious search for life on Mars anytime soon we need to send human explorers.  Robots are simply not up to the task, they say, and won't be for a long time.

Mars One intends to put humans on Mars by 2023, but the project also intends to site its colony well away from the most likely places to look for Martian life, so as not to contaminate potential native life with Earthly microbes.  Nor is searching for life a major goal of the project, which seems a wasted opportunity.  Hopefully, if Mars One succeeds, its priorities will change.