P.I.: Mancinelli
The objectives of the research are to: 1) define the experimental
parameters that are necessary to conduct autonomously a mineralogical
analysis of the Martian surface in situ using differential thermal
analysis coupled with gas chromatography (DTA/GC). The rationale
in support of this objective is that proper interpretation of
the mineralogical data from the DTA/GC can be used to better describe
the present and past environments of Mars, leading to a better
assessment of the probability of life evolving on Mars; and 2)
better understand microbe-environment interactions by determining
the response of microbes to changes in their environment, including
extreme desiccation and solar UV-radiation. The rationale behind
this is to develop hypotheses regarding what may have happened
to life that may have arose on Mars, and microbial life that may
get to the surface of Mars via spacecraft, or meteors from Earth
The purpose of this research is to further our knowledge of exobiology
and the evolution of life by identifying key chemical and isotopic
signatures of extinct life that can be incorporated into analytical
flight experiments to Mars and to build on the foundation of information
obtained by Viking explorations.
P.I.: Davidson
The purpose of this research is to investigate the formation and
evolution of stars and planetary systems and to assist in the
development of a new airborne observatory called the Stratospheric
Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
P.I.: Marshall
The purpose of this project is to conduct scientific and instrumentation
research and development in order to assist in accomplishing the
goals of the NASA Exobiology Program, in particular, to improve
our understanding of how cosmic, solar system and planetary evolution
have influenced the origin, evolution, and distribution of life
and life-related molecules in the universe. The activities involve
the research and technology development necessary for exobiology
flight experiments in low earth orbit and solar system exploration
missions.
P.I.: Freund
This research project includes four separate research tasks which
have in common the use of Analytical Electron Microscopy (AEM)
to elucidate the mineralogy, petrology, and mechanism of formation
of a variety of materials. Research will include the elucidation
of pre- and early solar system history through the study of extraterrestrial
materials, including Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) and
Carbonaceous Chondrite meteorites. This project will investigate
the relationship between carbonaceous material and inorganic mineral
phases found in Carbonaceous Chondrites and Interplanetary Dust
Particles using Analytical Micron Microscopy (AEM).
P.I.: Stan-Lotter
This research proposes to conduct experiments designed for the
study of one of the key enzymes of cellular life. This enzyme,
the ATP synthase, which conserves the energy from proton gradients
across the membrane, has been found in remarkably similar versions
in mitochondria, chloroplasts and eubacteria, which suggests its
origin at an early stage of biological evolution. A membrane-bound
ATPase from the extremely halophilic archaebacterium Halobacterium
saccharovorum will be characterized on a molecular level.
The archaebacteria are organisms which may have been subjected
less to evolutionary pressures, and thus their molecular cell
components may reflect closer relationships to those of the proposed
"ukaryote" or common ancestor of extant life.
P.I.: Colgan
This research project proposes to investigate the formation and
evolution of young stars, particularly as this relates to the
production and abundances of elements heavier than helium. The
study of these elements is applicable to the search for extraterrestrial
intelligence, since it reflects on the probability that conditions
for life can be found elsewhere in the universe. This project
will examine the abundances of, and the processes responsible
for, the radio and far-infrared emission in the vicinity of the
center of the galaxy, and will also research the production and
return of heavy elements to the interstellar medium in supernova
explosions as exemplified by supernova SN 1987A. This study will
be performed in collaboration with existing Institute personnel
and personnel at NASA/Ames Research Center.
P.I.: Shen
The primary purpose of this research project is to synthesize
and develop highly efficient, porous polymeric particles to be
used in gas chromatographic analysis of low molecular weight chemicals,
such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, methane, ethane, carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide, water and others which may be present in cometary
and planetary bodies. This research activity will be performed
in collaboration with personnel at Ames Research Center and other
research agencies in order to assist in accomplishing the goals
of the NASA exobiology programs. Proposed research activities
will also support the missions of NASA planetary entry probes
in space exploration, atmospheric composition, aerosol and soil
gas composition analyses. The results from these analyses will
provide the information which is important to the research of
chemical evolution, the origin of life, and biological evolution.
In addition, NASA is in a very dynamic mode at this time. A
massive effort is under way to revolutionize the technical approach
to spacecraft and robotic exploration. The Discovery Program
is the first incarnation of this new enterprise. Other programs
following it include New Millennium, Micro-spacecraft, and Nanoinstruments.
All of these enterprises have the paradigm of better, faster,
cheaper in common. Clearly, the current technology for future
space studies will not likely be viable. To meet this requirement
for the next century, miniaturized instrument will be developed.
Miniaturized GC column- detector, Pyrosensor, and other sensors
will also be developed and tested.
P.I.: Klein
The purpose of this grant is to engage in a variety of research
activities in the field of exobiology, with particular reference
to studies relevant to Mars. These studies will focus on, but
not be limited to, such issues as the possible presence of organic
compounds on Mars, and how to search for extant and extinct organisms
on that planet, and evaluation of planetary protection measures
to be implemented during planetary exploration missions. One
major objective of this research is directed toward developing
specific plans for experimentation on Mars in future missions;
this will require not only laboratory investigations, but also
intensive interaction with the scientific community in order to
continuously update and evaluate research in this field. Through
these activities, it is expected that significant corollary objectives
will accrue: advancement of knowledge about the origin of life
and other aspects of exobiology and the space sciences, training
of students and young scientists to help foster the next generation
of scientists in these fields, and development of new concepts
for space-based instrumentation.
P.I.: Zent
The goal of this project is to analyze the atmosphere of Mars
and determine the duration of liquid water habitats on Mars, and
to better understand the relationship between the physical and
chemical evolution of the solar system and the appearance of life.
These studies are also aimed at determining the potential for
eventually establishing a Mars base for future exploration. Electrical
fields and shock waves associated with lightning discharges can
cause small but significant compositional changes in gas mixtures,
however the magnitude of these changes depends on the amount of
energy dissipated. Observations of other planets have shown that
there is a great deal of lightning activity on other planets.
This project will study the lightning distribution rate, its
magnitude and the relationship between different planetary atmospheres
and the areas where lightning occurs.
PI: A. Weber
Our overall goal is to identify the prebiotic processes that provided
the energy and matter (monomers and polymers) needed for the origin
of life. In this search we study chemical models of likely prebiotic
processes to obtain information pertaining to the origin of life
on the primitive Earth. We also study the energetics of metabolism
to establish the general principles that govern biological energy
flow. Aspects of energy flow that are predetermined by ahistorical
chemical constraints probably apply to the origin of life, and
to life throughout the Universe. Our current experimental studies
examine how reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions could have been
used to synthesize prebiotic polymers. Redox formation of prebiotic
polymers is attractive because (a) redox reactions are not susceptible
to chemical interference by water as are anhydride-driven polymerizations,
and (b) redox reactions are the primary source of chemical energy
of modern and probably primitive life. Our work stresses the
reactions of sulfur-containing compounds because sulfur groups
are reactive and could have participated in redox reactions and
group transfer reactions during the origin of life before the
appearance of powerful biocatalysts.
PI: Moore
This research encompasses several tasks, the common theme of which
is the exploration of Mars and the elucidation of its climatic
history through a better understanding of its sedimentology.
The nature and history of the sediments on the floor of Hellas
basin are being studied and the abundance and form of volatile
cements in the polar terrain of Mars (and elsewhere) is being
examined. Also, the composition of behavior of Martian brines
(and evaporates) is being investigated in the laboratory.
PI: Summers
The work in this project addresses issues which are fundamental
to understanding the origins of life and the origin of the early
environment. In this research, the prinicpal investigator will
study how reduced carbon and nitrogen compounds thought to be
necessary for the formation of life may have been formed on an
early Earth with a carbon dioxide/nitrogen atmosphere. This work
focuses on verifying experimentally what processes occur and how
important they are.
P.I.: Salama
The purpose of this research is to conduct laboratory and observational
studies of organic interstellar, cometary, and planetary analogs.
This research is to provide fundamental data on the building
block elements intervening in star and solar system formation
and evolution. As such, this project constitutes an effort towards
the understanding of the origins of life in the universe.
P.I.: Jenkins
The goal of this project is to develop better techniques for analyzing
radio occultation data, based on optimal signal processing methods,
and to apply these techniques to occultation data sets obtained
from the Magellan Orbiter and other spacecraft. Although the
focus of the research will be to study the atmosphere of Venus,
the techniques developed will be applicable to radio occultation
experiments conducted at other planets. Specific objectives to
be accomplished during the course of this project include (1)
analyze and reduce data from four radio occultation experiments
conducted with the Magellan spacecraft at Venus in December 1992,
(2) compare the results of these four experiments with each other
and with the results of three previous Magellan radio occultation
experiments, (3) design limb-track maneuvers and Doppler frequency
predictions for radio occultation experiments to be conducted
with Magellan during the period of April through August 1994,
(4) analyze data collected during the opportunities in 1994 to
produce similar product data sets as for the 1992 experiments,
and (5) coordinate near infrared observations of the night side
of Venus in August 1994 for correlation with radio occultation
data obtained at low latitudes during this period.
P.I.: Doyle
The goal of this project is to detect terrestrial-sized planets
from the ground. This project will identify special targets (small
mass eclipsing binaries), measure any photometric changes in brightness
due to possible planetary transits, and cross-correlate the observations
with planetary transit and/or eclipsing binary models to locate
sub-noise signals. This will place the first observational constraints
on terrestrial planet formation around main sequence stars.
P.I.: Stauduhar
NASA's High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) Project, a radio
search for intelligent extraterrestrial transmissions, has developed
novel signal detection algorithms. The methods used to design
detectors for weak structured signals may have other powerful
applications. In the past, these methods have facilitated an
increase in algorithm speed by a factor of 100 and in sensitivity
by a factor of 10. This project seeks to (1) assess the sensitivity
of current algorithms used in medical computer aided diagnosis
of breast cancer; (2) compare the results with the performance
of optimum detection models (matched filters); (3) construct a
set of detection functions if the state-of-the-art is not optimal;
(4) determine the performance of these functions on real cases.
The current detection algorithms and medical test data will be
supplied by the University of South Florida, while the SETI Institute
and Ames Research Center will modify HRMS detection algorithms
for medical applications.
P.I.: Paque
This project will examine experimental analogs of components in
chondritic meteorites and make comparisons with the natural material.
A major objective of this work is to examine the effects of the
addition of foreign nuclei to experimental analogs, in an effort
to duplicate the nucleation conditions of natural objects (e.g.,
the presence of Pt metal nuggets in CAIs). The answers obtained
from examination of these experiments will aid in the interpretation
of CAIs and chondrules an constrain the environment and location
in the solar nebula where these objects formed. This work will
be the basis for modeling the conditions and locales of planetary
formation.
P.I.: Simpson
This project is a collaboration between SETI Institute personnel
and researchers from NASA Ames Research Center to (1) study the
abundance of elements heavier than helium (particularly carbon,
nitrogen, oxygen, neon, silicon, sulfur, argon, and iron) in the
gas clouds out of which young stars have recently formed, (2)
study the composition of dust in these same clouds and in the
interstellar medium between the earth and the clouds, (3) study
the formation of dust by old red giant stars, and (4) investigate
the effects of the extreme conditions of the Galactic Center (magnetic
fields, high densities, relativistic particles) on regions of
star formation. This research is relevant to the rate of formation
of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life, though
the production rate for stars as a function of mass, the availability
of the elements used to make solid planets, and the abundance
of the elements that make up the molecules of life.
P.I.: Cooper
This project focuses on two tasks relating to organic compounds
found in the Murchison meteorite. Task One involves isotopic
measurements of organic sulfonates and phosphonates found in Murchison.
Task Two will focus on investigating possible formaldehyde condensation
products identified in Murchison.
Isotopic measurements will be used to show if these compounds
are indigenous.
P.I.: Nishioka
This project will use a two pronged approach researching capture
of interplanetary dust particles to help answer questions of how
cosmic, solar system, and planetary evolution have influenced
the origin, evolution, and distribution of life and life-related
molecules in the universe by emphasizing laboratory research,
testing, and analysis, as well as analytical modeling using computer
simulations to validate the empirical laboratory research results.
Research will help determine the capture media's physical characteristics
such as compressibility, thermal conductivity, clarity and capture
performance for particle mass, velocity, penetration, etc. Research
results will identify the necessary materials and methods to passively
capture relatively intact uncontaminated interplanetary dust particles
(IDP) and the extraction of them from the media for analysis.
IDP capture media will be prepared and tested for their capture
efficiency. Methods will be developed for extracting captured
particles from the media, and the results of media and particle
analyses interpreted.
P.I.: Marshall
Laboratory experiments and data analysis will be used to model
contemporary conditions on the surface of Mars. Laboratory experiments
will also be conducted to define methods of analyzing the surface
materials of the planet; these experiments will assist in the
definition of robotic space missions using roving scientific platforms.
Our investigations are motivated by exobilogic concerns regarding
detection of ancient evidence of hydrologicial surface conditions;
this evidence has been modified in the present Martian phase of
cold desertification and aeolian transportation.
P.I.: Sauke
The goal of this project is to define and carry out experiments
to apply tunable diode laser technology to exobiological applications
in molecular and isotopic analysis. The project aims to explore
and develop the applicability of tunable diode lasers for exobiological
application on space flight missions to the surface of Mars.
P.I.: Hubickyj
Understanding how our solar system formed can provide information
on the efficacy of the creation of planetary systems. Observations
available to investigators of the giant planets set compositional
and temporal constraints that theoretical models must address.
The research in this project will investigate the physical processes
believed to have occurred during the evolution of the planets.
In particular, a computer code that simulates planetary evolution
will be used with parameters that are meant to model Jupiter,
Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus.
P.I.: Race
With a proposed series of missions to Mars, planetary protection
must include more than scientific and technical aspects of the
mission. Before an official set of requirements can be established
for a sample return mission, a variety of technical, legal, and
political issues and public concerns must be evaluated. Included
among these are (1) evaluation of public concerns about returning
samples from Mars into Earth's environment; (2) legal considerations
and responsibilities of regulatory agencies; (3) analysis of the
likelihood of an indigenous biota on Mars; (4) effect of Martian
oxidants on terrestrial life; (5) technology for aseptic transfer
of sample canister s to Earth return vehicles; (6) technology
for exterior sterilization of sample return vehicle; and (7) sample
sealing and preservation technology to prevent movement of material
in either direction. This project is an outgrowth of particular
needs identified in research suggesting that social and non-scientific
factors represent potentially significant impediments for future
Mars mission, especially in areas involving planetary protection.
With out careful attention and planning in the early stages of
planetary protection activities, NASA will be ill prepared to
deal with the many clientele and audience groups, the irregular
timing of their informational needs, and the inevitable public
interest and concern over risk management decisions associated
with sample return missions.
PI: DeVore
The objective of this proposal is to utilize, in cooperation with
NASA Ames personnel, the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) and,
in the future, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
(SOFIA) to provide flight opportunities for science teachers.
This enrichment experience will help foster the excitement associated
with performing scientific observations and the discovery process.
This project will investigate the feasibility of an eventual
national program of flight opportunities for science teachers
and will develop and test curriculum materials and activities
and conduct teacher workshops as a means for providing a more
substantial and longer-lasting impact of flight experience. The
project will investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of
such an approach in improving the transfer of the excitement of
NASA scientific research programs into science and mathematics
classrooms at the elementary and secondary school levels.
PI: Jenkins
The goals of this project are to retrieve vertical profiles of
temperature, pressure, density, and sulfuric acid vapor abundance
from approximately 15 observations made with the Magellan spacecraft
in 1994. These observations were made at a variety of northern
and southern latitudes and should provide information on the dynamics
of the Venus atmosphere. This should help to elucidate transport
mechanisms between the lower atmosphere and the atmosphere within
and above the clouds, and the dynamic mechanisms that support
or contribute to the upper rotation of the Venus atmosphere.
PI: Marshall
The objective of this project is to experimentally investigate
the possibility that wind-blown particles on Mars may be sufficiently
self destructive to cause eventual cessation of all dune formation
on the planet. Experimentation is required to resolve the current
conflict between this theoretical prediction and actual observations
of dunes on Mars.
Project Director: Tarter
This project is an effort designed to capitalize on the technology
and momentum of the now-canceled NASA High Resolution Microwave
Survey (HRMS) program, and to continue a major part of the search.
It will use large radio antennas and sophisticated digital receivers
to try to discover signals from civilizations on planets around
other stars. Such signals, if found, would prove the existence
of societies elsewhere in the Galaxy and could contain information
about their cultural and scientific achievements. This large-scale
search program will incorporate most aspects of NASA's former
targeted search of the vicinities of 1,000 nearby Sun-like stars.
NASA NCC 2-479
"Definition of Exobiology
Experiments for Future Mars Missions"
Staff: Andersen, Landheim, Sawyer, Smernoff, Squire, White
NASA NCC 2-551
"Observational Research
on Star and Planetary System Formation"
Staff: Jenkins, McDonald
NASA NCC 2-565
"Supporting Research
and Technology Activities for the Exobiology Flight Experiments
Program"
Staff: Bratton, Do, Humphry, Nishioka, Sauke, Seward, Shao, Stratton
<Closing 3/31/96>
NASA NCC 2-572
"Mineralogic Investigation
of a Variety of Materials Using Analytical Electron Microscopy
(AEM)"
Staff: Chan, Discipulo, Gupta, Jenniskens, Kato, Kumar
NASA NCC 2-578
"The Evolution of
Energy-Transducing Systems, Studies with an Extremely Halophilic
Archaebacterium"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-647
"Abundances and Physical
Conditions in Star Forming Regions and Supernova 1987A"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-650
"Synthesis and Development
of Porous Polymeric Column Packings for GC Analysis of Extraterrestrial
Atmospheres and Development of Miniaturized Intruments for Future
Missions"
Staff: Do, Shao, Zhou
NASA NCC 2-695
"Research and Technology
Activities in Support of the Exobiology Programs in Chemical Evolution,
Planetary Science, and Planetary Protection"
Staff: Acevedo, Embaye, Wiersema
NASA NCC 2-697
"Exploration of Mars and
Its Climate"
Staff: Davis, Quinn
NASA NCC 2-784
"Redox Energy and Sulfur
Chemistry in Prebiotic Polymer Synthesis and Replication"
Staff: E. Weber
NASA NCC 2-789
"Investigations in Martian
Sedimentology"
Staff: none
NASA NCC 2-836
"The Role of Semiconducting
Minerals in Prebiotic Fixation of Nitrogen and Carbon"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-850
"Laboratory and Observational
Research on Interstellar and Planetary Analogs"
Staff: Bernstein
NASA NCC 2-867
"Radio Occultation Studies
of Planetary Atmospheres and Correlative Studies"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-874
"Transit of Extrasolar
Planets"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-881
"Advanced Signal Processing Methods
Applied to Digital Mammography and Other Imaging Modalities"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-887
"Experimental and Analytical
Studies on the Formation of Meteorites and Planetary Bodies"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-900
"The Dust and Heavy Element Composition
of the Interstellar Medium"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-906
"Isotopic Measurements of Sulfonates
and Phosphonates and Investigation of Possible Formaldehyde Products
from the Murchison Meteorite"
Staff: None
NASA NCC 2-912
"Cosmic Dust Capture Research
and Development for the Exobiology Program"
Staff: Stratton
NASA NCC 2-926
"Studies of Mineralogical Textural
Properties of Martial Soil: An Exobiological Perspective"
Staff: Bratton, Keaten
NASA NCC 2-929
"Application of Tunable Diode
Laser Spectrometry to Isotopic Studies for Exobiology"
Staff: Bratton, Humphry
NASA NAG 2-984
"Formation of the Giant Planets"
Staff: None
NASA NAG 2-986
"Integration of Planetary Protection
Activities"
Staff: None
NASA HQ NAGW-3291
"A Proposal to Investigate
the Use of the FOSTER Project to
Disseminate the Scientific Results
of Airborne Astronomy"
Staff: none
<Closing
3/31/96>
NASA HQ NAGW-4346
"Radio Occultation Studies
of Venus' Atmosphere with Magellan"
Staff: None
NASA HQ NAGW-4353
"Comminution of Aeolian Materials on Mars"
Staff: Seward
Private Donations
"Project Phoenix"
Acting Director: Cullers
Staff: Backus, Dreher, Harper, Henrikson, Neller, Pardo, Patrick,
Ross, Shostak, Stauduhar
Contractors: Heiligman, Hill, Jordan
SETI Institute - 2035 Landings Drive - Mountain View, CA (415) 961-6633