Findings and Recommendations 



methods for integrating sensor data. Such technology development is essential in 

 enabling these programs to participate fully in research opportunities provided by 

 NASA missions in air and space. 



• The Life Sciences Division has the ability to undertake a comprehensive search 

 for extraterrestrial intelligence, an effort that will have strong public appeal, allow 

 for broad international cooperation, and make unique scientific contributions to 

 radioastronomy. 



• The Life Sciences Division has a particular interest in Mars, which occupies a 

 unique position among the planets of the solar system. 



- Recent scientific evidence indicates that sometime during the first billion years 

 of its history Mars was remarkably similar to early Earth with respect to the 

 presence of liquid water, a volatiles-rich atmosphere, and a warm climate. 



— Life emerged on Earth during this same period and, according to current 

 theory, may also have developed on Mars. 



— At present, the technology for robotic round trip and sample return has not 

 been developed. 



• Recent studies by committees of the NASA Advisory Council and the National 

 Academy of Sciences (NAS) articulated an extensive list of research objectives and 

 accompanying scientific strategies for the disciplines of biospherics and exobiol- 

 ogy- 



— The LSSPSC concurs with the findings regarding global-scale Earth studies in 

 Earth System Science: A Closer View (NASA, 1987) and Global Change in the 

 Geosphere, Biosphere (NAS, 1986). We also agree with the recommendations for 

 exobiology proposed by the NAS Committee on Planetary Biology and Chemi- 

 cal Evolution. 



— Present funding constrains the Biospherics Research and Exobiology Programs 

 from exploiting the research opportunities delineated by the NASA and NAS 

 committees. 



Recommendations 



• NASA should make the science requirements of biospherics and exobiology 

 integral to plans for its Mission to Planet Earth and Exploration of the Solar 

 System initiatives. 



• NASA divisions with similar interests in planetary biology — the Life 

 Sciences, Solar System Exploration, Earth Science and Applications, and 

 Astrophysics Divisions — should develop additional programs to promote 

 maximum return from collaborative research. 



e Biospherics Research Program should participate in the development and 

 implementation of the Earth Observing System. 



ospherics Research and Exobiology Programs should intensify develop- 

 f the technology necessary to generate advanced systems for instrument 



M 



