Gnotobiotics in Relation to Space Biology

Abstract

The prospect of examining the moon and neighboring planets for the presence of living forms certainly provides one of the most interesting phases in the development of man’ s knowledge. There is some evidence of life on Mars and it seems likely that the first examination of specimens will be made by soft-landed robots (Technical Panel on the Earth Satellite Program, 1958). However, someone with a training in biology will have to actually explore the planet to obtain a thorough knowledge of its biota. This adventure imposes staggering demands upon a great many sciences and technologies and forces development of the in-between areas. The possible returns from such an adventure are also imposing, not only in terms of the knowledge gained about extraterrestrial nature but through the effort required to get there. The fields of electronics and metallurgy already have been enriched as a result of the basic research required by their participation. A prolonged space voyage will require a much greater insight into bioecology (Tobias, 1959) than we now possess and the design of a probe will require a reexamination of the fundamental properties of living matter, to mention two areas in which biology will profit from the preparation required.