T wrote:
Hi All,

A growing test of simulated Martian soil. Interesting read.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/...e-harvest.html

I am not sure this is an accurate study as Martian soil has
no microbes.

it is very hard to sterilize something
completely.


I wonder if they have earwigs on Mars?

if we go there with organic stuff for
growing plants, eventually they'll get
there...

we've already contaminated mars with DNA
and other bits of organic molecules, but it
likely doesn't matter because the lack of
water and the temperatures are so harsh it
will be degraded or have nothing else to
interact with.

life is somewhat of a package deal. we'll
have to take large chunks of the biosphere
with us to support us on any planet that
doesn't aleady have life.


songbird