Space as a Tool for Astrobiology: Review and Recommendations for Experimentations in Earth Orbit and Beyond

The space environment is regularly used for experiments addressing astrobiology research goals. The specific conditions prevailing in Earth orbit and beyond, notably the radiative environment (photons and energetic particles) and the possibility to conduct long-duration measurements, have been the m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Space science reviews 2017-07, Vol.209 (1-4), p.83-181
Main Authors: Cottin, Hervé, Kotler, Julia Michelle, Billi, Daniela, Cockell, Charles, Demets, René, Ehrenfreund, Pascale, Elsaesser, Andreas, d’Hendecourt, Louis, van Loon, Jack J. W. A., Martins, Zita, Onofri, Silvano, Quinn, Richard C., Rabbow, Elke, Rettberg, Petra, Ricco, Antonio J., Slenzka, Klaus, de la Torre, Rosa, de Vera, Jean-Pierre, Westall, Frances, Carrasco, Nathalie, Fresneau, Aurélien, Kawaguchi, Yuko, Kebukawa, Yoko, Nguyen, Dara, Poch, Olivier, Saiagh, Kafila, Stalport, Fabien, Yamagishi, Akihiko, Yano, Hajime, Klamm, Benjamin A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace environments
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Astrobiology
Astrophysics
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Biological properties
Biological samples
Cubesat
Earth orbits
Energetic particles
Exposure
International Space Station
Multinational space ventures
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Planetology
Sciences of the Universe
Small satellites
Space capsules
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
Space stations
Spacecraft
Special Communication
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Summary:The space environment is regularly used for experiments addressing astrobiology research goals. The specific conditions prevailing in Earth orbit and beyond, notably the radiative environment (photons and energetic particles) and the possibility to conduct long-duration measurements, have been the main motivations for developing experimental concepts to expose chemical or biological samples to outer space, or to use the reentry of a spacecraft on Earth to simulate the fall of a meteorite. This paper represents an overview of past and current research in astrobiology conducted in Earth orbit and beyond, with a special focus on ESA missions such as Biopan, STONE (on Russian FOTON capsules) and EXPOSE facilities (outside the International Space Station). The future of exposure platforms is discussed, notably how they can be improved for better science return, and how to incorporate the use of small satellites such as those built in cubesat format.
ISSN:0038-6308
1572-9672
DOI:10.1007/s11214-017-0365-5