Obiettivo The low average temperature and low water activity of the Martian near-surface environment makes it challenging for living organisms to persist and propagate. Nonetheless, recent mission results indicate that environmental conditions exceed locally and temporarily the lower thresholds for life to exist. Furthermore, specific soil minerals, or combinations thereof, appear to provide a suitable habitat for microbial life, especially if associated with low-temperature brines or hygroscopic salts. Thus, a quantitative understanding of the habitability potential of the Martian near-surface environment, past and present, is very much needed and the focus of this proposal. To achieve this objective, we will test different types of soils and some of Earth’s hardiest organisms, using them as models (‘Mars-analogues’), to see if they can survive and perhaps even grow under the various environmental stresses known to exist on Mars. A major tool of our laboratory investigations will be the experimentally proven state-of-the-art Mars Simulation Chamber at the German AeroSpace Center, to which various soils materials and microorganisms will be exposed. The planned experimental investigations and models will be concurrently updated by analyzed mission data, particularly from landers and rovers (e.g. Curiosity Rover), to adjust our work to the newest Martian geochemical and environmental data available. Results from our proposed work will timely provide critical scientific knowledge to interpret incoming data from ESA’s ExoMars mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2016/2018. As one important deliverable of our work we will also construct a Mars Soil Analyzer, an instrument which will be designed for a future mission to Mars with the objective to achieve Technology Readiness Level 6 at the completion of the proposed study. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology Programma(i) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) ERC-AG-PE9 - ERC Advanced Grant - Universe sciences Invito a presentare proposte ERC-2013-ADG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Istituzione ospitante TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN Contributo UE € 2 370 614,80 Indirizzo STRASSE DES 17 JUNI 135 10623 Berlin Germania Mostra sulla mappa Regione Berlin Berlin Berlin Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contatto amministrativo Sabine Bruno (Ms.) Ricercatore principale Dirk Schulze-Makuch (Prof.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato Beneficiari (2) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN Germania Contributo UE € 2 370 614,80 Indirizzo STRASSE DES 17 JUNI 135 10623 Berlin Mostra sulla mappa Regione Berlin Berlin Berlin Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contatto amministrativo Sabine Bruno (Ms.) Ricercatore principale Dirk Schulze-Makuch (Prof.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT - UND RAUMFAHRT EV Germania Contributo UE € 123 600,00 Indirizzo LINDER HOHE 51147 Koln Mostra sulla mappa Regione Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Tilman Spohn (Prof.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato
