Robotic astrobiology – prospects for enhancing scientific productivity of mars rover missions

Ellery, Alex

doi:10.1017/s1473550417000180

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…In fact, philosophical aspects of the existence of extra-terrestrial life are investigated [ 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 ], including theological implications [ 191 , 192 ]. Terms related to intelligence could also refer to the artificial intelligence and robotics solutions needed to perform autonomous space missions [ 193 , 194 , 195 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Aguzzi,

Cuadros,

Dartnell

et al. 2024

Life

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Life on our planet likely evolved in the ocean, and thus exo-oceans are key habitats to search for extraterrestrial life. We conducted a data-driven bibliographic survey on the astrobiology literature to identify emerging research trends with marine science for future synergies in the exploration for extraterrestrial life in exo-oceans. Based on search queries, we identified 2592 published items since 1963. The current literature falls into three major groups of terms focusing on (1) the search for life on Mars, (2) astrobiology within our Solar System with reference to icy moons and their exo-oceans, and (3) astronomical and biological parameters for planetary habitability. We also identified that the most prominent research keywords form three key-groups focusing on (1) using terrestrial environments as proxies for Martian environments, centred on extremophiles and biosignatures, (2) habitable zones outside of “Goldilocks” orbital ranges, centred on ice planets, and (3) the atmosphere, magnetic field, and geology in relation to planets’ habitable conditions, centred on water-based oceans.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Aguzzi,

Cuadros,

Dartnell

et al. 2024

Life

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“…The present study aims to provide a quantitative framework that evaluates the uncertainty of in situ biogenic assessments using a simple Bayesian inference. More sophisticated Bayesian methods allow for more accurate estimations and decision-making in astrobiology in the presence of instrumental and processing noise and multiple sources of uncertainty, such as Bayesian networks or Kalman filter (Ellery, 2018;Dai et al, 2019). We find that detecting more than seven potential biosignatures does not increase the reliability of biogenic assessments, unless their probability of being false positives is well constrained.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Quantitative Framework for Astrobiology Strategies and in situ Biogenic Assessments

Hartz

George

2022

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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In July 2020, NASA’s Perseverance (Mars 2020) mission was launched. The rover sent to the surface of Mars will not only perform in situ analyses, but will also collect rock and regolith samples that will be returned to Earth by future missions for further investigations. Therefore, the amount and quality of astrobiological data retrieved from these missions is expected to be unprecedented. The challenge faced by the astrobiology community will be to use these data in the most efficient way to assess whether any of the analysed samples are of biogenic origin. However, in situ biogenic assessments often lack quantitative support. Particularly, their statistical uncertainty is not systematically evaluated. This study aims to provide the first quantitative framework that evaluates the uncertainty of in situ biogenic assessments using recursive Bayesian statistics. Our results show that detecting more than seven potential biosignatures does not increase the reliability of biogenic assessments, unless the probability of detection of biosignatures in the sample and the probability of the biosignatures being false positives are well constrained. This study emphasizes the need for quantitative support of biogenic assessments and astrobiology strategies in general.

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“…Any basic scientific suite must include telescopy in the X-ray-ultraviolet-visible-infrared-radio spectrum for long-range reconnaissance. Scientific autonomy requires an autonomous search for signatures and their interpretation – this is an under-developed field (Ellery, 2018 b ). Adaptability to environmental exigencies implies learning and/or evolutionary capacity.…”

Section: Self-replicating Probes In Setimentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-replicating probes are imminent – implications for SETI

Ellery

2022

International Journal of Astrobiology

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In the early 1980s, the Sagan-Tipler debate raged regarding the interpretation of the Fermi paradox but no clear winner emerged. Sagan favoured the existence of ETI on the basis of the Copernican principle and Tipler favoured the non-existence of ETI on the basis of the Occam's razor principle. Tipler's stance was an expansion of the similar but earlier Hart declaration. However, crucial to the Tipler argument was the role played by self-replicating interstellar robot probes. Any technologically capable species will develop self-replication technology as the most economical means of exploring space and the Galaxy as a whole with minimal investment. There is no evidence of such probes in our solar system including the asteroid belt, ergo, ETI do not exist. This is a powerful and cogent argument. Counter-arguments have been weak including Sagan's sociological explanations. We present a Copernican argument that ETI do not exist – humans are developing self-replication technology today. We are developing the ability to 3D print entire robotic machines from extraterrestrial resources including electric motors and electronics as part of a general in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) capability. We have 3D-printed electric motors which can be potentially leveraged from extraterrestrial material that should be available in every star system. From a similar range of materials, we have identified a means to 3D print neural network circuitry. From our industrial ecology, self-replicating machines and indeed universal constructors are feasible. We describe in some detail how a self-replicating interstellar spacecraft may be constricted from asteroidal resources. We describe technological signatures of the processing of asteroidal material (which is expected to be common to most star systems), and the excess production of certain types of clay and other detritus materials. Self-replication technology is under development and imminent – if humans are pursuing self-replication technology, then by the Copernican principle, so would any technologically savvy species elsewhere. There is no evidence that they have.

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Robotic astrobiology – prospects for enhancing scientific productivity of mars rover missions

Cited by 8 publications

References 92 publications

Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Quantitative Framework for Astrobiology Strategies and in situ Biogenic Assessments

Self-replicating probes are imminent – implications for SETI

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