878234 VO The search for life in space (2005S)

The search for extraterrestrial life was declared as a goal for the 21. century by several space agencies. Astrobiology is a new scientific discipline which includes concepts from bio- and geosciences. Extremophilic microorganisms, which thrive in physico-chemical environments similar to those present in space and on other planets, might perhaps be expected to represent extraterrestrial forms of life. Open issues are the risks of introducing foreigns microbes (via sample return) and the global plans for "terraforming" of Mars.