Earth microbes on Mars?

Scientists who work with the rover «Curiosity», hoping that the device does not detect water on Mars, as they fear that it could contaminate the Red planetu.

The rover, which is currently engaged in the search for life on Mars is equipped with a special drill to drill a Martian rock for signs of ancient life. However, NASA scientists began to fear that earthly microbes that can survive in a storm, can settle in the Martian water, thus contaminating planetu.

Initially, the researchers plan to make the rover «Curiosity» completely sterile and sealed it carefully before you run to the Earth microbes could not get to Mars.

The head of the drill to the robot arm «Curiosity» was to be placed in a box, which was to be opened only after the rover landed. However engineers feared that the drill could be damaged during landing system and removed one of the drill to attach it to the rover, leaving him could get mikroby.

Although it may seem incredible that earthly microbes were able to survive the flight, scientists say approximately 250,000 bacterial spores could remain tselymi.

NASA plans today to avoid contact with ice or water on the surface of Mars. This may also explain why Gale Crater was selected as the landing site for the «Curiosity», as it is very dry.

Source: www.infoniac.ru/news/Pochemu-NASA-ne-hochet-chtoby-marsohod-nashel-vodu.html