This Week in Space 177

You've heard the news about a possible detection of ancient life on Mars... now get the inside scoop from one of the paper's key authors. Dr. Michael Tice is a research scientist and planetary geologist at Texas A&M, and has a lot to say about how the research was pulled from the year-old drill sampling, the incredible rigor that was applied to their findings, and what's next in this amazing story. It's the one we've all been waiting for--a possible indication of life beyond our own planet!

 Headlines:

• NASA’s Interim Chief Declares Mission to Beat China Back to the Moon
• Starlink Satellite Photobombs Maxar Image of Secret Chinese Airbase
• James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Interstellar Jet “Flatulence”

Main Topic: Signs of Ancient Life Discovered on Mars by Perseverance

• Dr. Michael Tice Explains Potential Biosignatures in Jezero Crater
• Discovery of Unusual “Leopard Spots” Linked to Possible Microbial Activity
• Redox Reactions and Organics Suggest Favorable Conditions for Life
• Debate Between Biological and Abiotic Explanations for Findings
• Cutting-Edge Rover Instruments Push Detection Limits
• Challenges of Confirming Life Without Sample Return to Earth
• Future Work Needed: Sample Return Missions and Analogs on Earth
• Broader Reflections on Mars Science, Search for Life, and Technology Choices

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• Transcripts: This Week in Space 177 Transcript

Links

• Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars
• 'I'll be damned if that's the story we write': Acting NASA Administrator Duffy vows not to lose moon race to China
• SpaceX Starlink satellite photobombs orbital view of secret Chinese air base
• James Webb Space Telescope images enormous star shooting out twin jets 8 light-years long
• Did NASA's Perseverance rover find evidence of ancient life on Mars? The plot thickens
• Life on Mars? NASA says a rock sample shows potential signs of ancient life
• NASA’s Perseverance Rover Scours Mars for Science
• Mars Sample Return