宇宙で生命の起源と分布を探る: 地球周回軌道におけるアストロバイオロジー実験研究班WG報告

第25回宇宙利用シンポジウム(2009年1月14日-15日, 宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究本部相模原キャンパス)

The Twenty-fifth Space Utilization Symposium (January 14-15, 2009: ISAS/JAXA Sagamihara, Japan)

"Astrobiology" is a novel interdisciplinary field defined as origins, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Earth and elsewhere in space. We organized the working group "Astrobiology Experiments in Earth Orbit" and have been discussed possible subjects of astrobiological experiments in Earth orbit since 2004. In 2006, we picked up one of the subjects, and it was proposed to JAXA as the "Tanpopo mission". In order to study origins and distribution of life in space, both in earth orbit and in planetary bodies, it is necessary to develop novel sensitive techniques to detect and characterize organic compounds and microorganisms. In this year, we discussed such instrumental analytical techniques as mass spectrometry and soft X-ray spectroscopy. One of the promising techniques to detect extant life is fluorometric microscopy. These techniques can be used not only in the Tanpopo mission but also future missions to detect life on Mars and beyond. Post-Tanpopo missions are discussed including a "Space Photon Lab" mission to synthesize organic compounds in space. Another important subject is planetary protection, which should be applied to not only astrobiology missions but also non-astrobiology missions. We also discussed domestic and international astrobiology networks.

資料番号: AA0064297071