Warning! A crucial period of searching for life on Mars--why international criterion for space quarantine is now required

Abstract

In connection with quarantine for interplanetary mission, we have examined the survivalities of terrestrial microorganisms under simulated Mars condition. In this study, the Mars conditions were simulated by ultraviolet and proton irradiation under similar low temperature, high vacuum and gaseous conditions by using cryostat vehicle. After exposure to the simulated Mars conditions, the survivabilities of the organisms were examined. From the results, the spores of Bacillus subtilis, the spores of Aspergillus niger, some anaerobic bacteria and algae showed considerable high survivalities even after UV and proton irradiations corresponding to 200 years on Mars. This subject is not restricted to academic curiosity but concerns problems involving the contamination of Mars with terrestrial organisms carried by space-probes. If there is a possibility that the terrestrial organisms carried from Earth to Mars can live for a significant period on Mars, a contamination of the Mars should be prevented for the purpose of life-detection-experiments in future.