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The Viking biology resultsA brief review of the purposes and the results from the Viking Biology experiments is presented, in the expectation that the lessons learned from this mission will be useful in planning future approaches to the biological exploration of Mars. Since so little was then known about potential micro-environments on Mars, three different experiments were included in the Viking mission, each one based on different assumptions about what Martian organisms might be like. In addition to the Viking Biology Instrument (VBI), important corollary information was obtained from the Viking lander imaging system and from the molecular analysis experiments that were conducted using the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GCMS) instrument. No biological objects were noted by the lander imaging instrument. The GCMS did not detect any organic compounds. A description of the tests conducted by the Gas Exchange Experiment, the Labeled Release experiment, and the Pyrolytic Release experiment is given. Results are discussed. Taken as a whole, the Viking data yielded no unequivocal evidence for a Martian biota at either landing site. The results also revealed the presence of one or more reactive oxidants in the surface material and these need to be further characterized, as does the range of micro-environments, before embarking upon future searches for extant life on Mars.
Document ID
19890016985
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Klein, Harold P.
(Santa Clara Univ. CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Ames Research Center, Exobiology and Future Mars Missions
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
89N26356
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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