Scientists Argue Viking Missions May Have Found Life on Mars 50 Years Ago
Nearly 50 years after NASA's Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers touched down on Mars, a group of scientists is making the case that the missions may have indeed discovered evidence of life on the Red Planet. The Viking landers conducted a series of biological experiments designed to detect metabolic activity in Martian soil, and one experiment — the Labeled Release test — produced results that were initially considered positive for life.
However, NASA ultimately concluded that the results were more likely caused by chemical reactions in the soil rather than biological activity, partly because another experiment failed to detect organic molecules. The scientists now challenging that interpretation argue that advances in understanding Martian chemistry and biology warrant a fresh look at the data. They contend that the original results, when viewed through the lens of modern science, are consistent with microbial life, and they are calling for new missions specifically designed to settle the question once and for all.
However, NASA ultimately concluded that the results were more likely caused by chemical reactions in the soil rather than biological activity, partly because another experiment failed to detect organic molecules. The scientists now challenging that interpretation argue that advances in understanding Martian chemistry and biology warrant a fresh look at the data. They contend that the original results, when viewed through the lens of modern science, are consistent with microbial life, and they are calling for new missions specifically designed to settle the question once and for all.