Terrestrial Life Thrives on Asteroid Ryugu Sample Despite Precautions
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel
The discovery of terrestrial microbial life in a sample from the asteroid Ryugu, collected by JAXA's Hayabusa 2 probe, highlights challenges in preventing biological contamination during space missions. This incident raises concerns about current planetary protection measures, especially as future missions plan to return Martian soil samples. The contamination underscores the need for improved protocols to maintain sample integrity, crucial for studying potential extraterrestrial life and exploring theories like panspermia.