Modelling the transfer of life from Mars to its moons

We describe a model of transfer of material from Mars to its moons, and the sterilization that material goes through in that transfer. This is used to gain understanding of if there is viable life on Mars, would that also be on the Martian moons. As Mars is under Planetary Protection, this work looks at should the Martian moons also be under Planetary Protection due to the transfer of unsterilized material.

Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - June 22, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research