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Title: Seeking Signs of Life on Mars: In Situ Investigations as Prerequisites to Sample Return Missions
Primary Author: Jeffrey L. Bada
Secondary Author(s): Andrew D. Aubrey, Frank J. Grunthaner, Michael Hecht, Richard Quinn, Richard Mathies, Aaron Zent, John H. Chalmers
Institution: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Date: September 15, 2009
Summary: We argue for deployment of increasingly sophisticated in situ techniques to definitively identify biomarkers before engaging in Mars Sample Return. We focus on “following the nitrogen,” using techniques such as micro capillary electrophoresis to identify and determine the chirality of primary amines
Panel Selection: Mars: Not Phobos and Deimos.
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These documents have been prepared in coordination with the National Academies of Science in support of the National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey. These documents are being made available for information purposes only, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology.