An ESA roadmap for geobiology in space exploration

GESE Topical Team, Natalie Leys, Rob Van Houdt

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    Geobiology, and in particular mineral–microbe interactions ,has a significant role to play in current and future space exploration. This includes the search for biosignatures in extraterrestrial environments, and the human exploration of space. Microorganisms can be exploited to advance such exploration, such as through biomining, maintenance o flife – support systems, and testing of life-detection instrumentation. In view of these potential applications, a European Space Agency (ESA) Topica lTeam “Geobiology in Space Exploration” was developed to explore these applications, and identify research avenues to be investigated to support this endeavour.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)286-295
    JournalActa Astronautica
    Volume118
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2016

    Cite this