@article{HuweFiedlerMoritzetal.2019, author = {Huwe, Bj{\"o}rn and Fiedler, Annelie and Moritz, Sophie and Rabbow, Elke and de Vera, Jean-Pierre Paul and Joshi, Jasmin Radha}, title = {Mosses in Low Earth Orbit}, series = {Astrobiology}, volume = {19}, journal = {Astrobiology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Liebert}, address = {New Rochelle}, issn = {1531-1074}, doi = {10.1089/ast.2018.1889}, pages = {221 -- 232}, year = {2019}, abstract = {As a part of the European Space Agency mission "EXPOSE-R2" on the International Space Station (ISS), the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment investigates the habitability of Mars and the limits of life. In preparation for the mission, experimental verification tests and scientific verification tests simulating different combinations of abiotic space- and Mars-like conditions were performed to analyze the resistance of a range of model organisms. The simulated abiotic space- and Mars-stressors were extreme temperatures, vacuum, and Mars-like surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in different atmospheres. We present for the first time simulated space exposure data of mosses using plantlets of the bryophyte genus Grimmia, which is adapted to high altitudinal extreme abiotic conditions at the Swiss Alps. Our preflight tests showed that severe UVR200-400nm irradiation with the maximal dose of 5 and 6.8 x 10(5) kJ center dot m(-2), respectively, was the only stressor with a negative impact on the vitality with a 37\% (terrestrial atmosphere) or 36\% reduction (space- and Mars-like atmospheres) in photosynthetic activity. With every exposure to UVR200-400nm 10(5) kJ center dot m(-2), the vitality of the bryophytes dropped by 6\%. No effect was found, however, by any other stressor. As the mosses were still vital after doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) expected during the EXPOSE-R2 mission on ISS, we show that this earliest extant lineage of land plants is highly resistant to extreme abiotic conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{deVeraBoettgerdelaTorreNoetzeletal.2012, author = {de Vera, Jean-Pierre Paul and B{\"o}ttger, Ute and de la Torre N{\"o}tzel, Rosa and Sanchez, Francisco J. and Grunow, Dana and Schmitz, Nicole and Lange, Caroline and H{\"u}bers, Heinz-Wilhelm and Billi, Daniela and Baque, Mickael and Rettberg, Petra and Rabbow, Elke and Reitz, G{\"u}nther and Berger, Thomas and M{\"o}ller, Ralf and Bohmeier, Maria and Horneck, Gerda and Westall, Frances and J{\"a}nchen, Jochen and Fritz, J{\"o}rg and Meyer, Cornelia and Onofri, Silvano and Selbmann, Laura and Zucconi, Laura and Kozyrovska, Natalia and Leya, Thomas and Foing, Bernard and Demets, Rene and Cockell, Charles S. and Bryce, Casey and Wagner, Dirk and Serrano, Paloma and Edwards, Howell G. M. and Joshi, Jasmin Radha and Huwe, Bj{\"o}rn and Ehrenfreund, Pascale and Elsaesser, Andreas and Ott, Sieglinde and Meessen, Joachim and Feyh, Nina and Szewzyk, Ulrich and Jaumann, Ralf and Spohn, Tilman}, title = {Supporting Mars exploration BIOMEX in Low Earth Orbit and further astrobiological studies on the Moon using Raman and PanCam technology}, series = {Planetary and space science}, volume = {74}, journal = {Planetary and space science}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0032-0633}, doi = {10.1016/j.pss.2012.06.010}, pages = {103 -- 110}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) experiment Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX) is an interdisciplinary and international space research project selected by ESA. The experiment will be accommodated on the space exposure facility EXPOSE-R2 on the International Space Station (ISS) and is foreseen to be launched in 2013. The prime objective of BIOMEX is to measure to what extent biomolecules, such as pigments and cellular components, are resistant to and able to maintain their stability under space and Mars-like conditions. The results of BIOMEX will be relevant for space proven biosignature definition and for building a biosignature data base (e.g. the proposed creation of an international Raman library). The library will be highly relevant for future space missions such as the search for life on Mars. The secondary scientific objective is to analyze to what extent terrestrial extremophiles are able to survive in space and to determine which interactions between biological samples and selected minerals (including terrestrial, Moon- and Mars analogs) can be observed under space and Mars-like conditions. In this context, the Moon will be an additional platform for performing similar experiments with negligible magnetic shielding and higher solar and galactic irradiation compared to LEO. Using the Moon as an additional astrobiological exposure platform to complement ongoing astrobiological LEO investigations could thus enhance the chances of detecting organic traces of life on Mars. We present a lunar lander mission with two related objectives: a lunar lander equipped with Raman and PanCam instruments which can analyze the lunar surface and survey an astrobiological exposure platform. This dual use of testing mission technology together with geo- and astrobiological analyses will significantly increase the science return, and support the human preparation objectives. It will provide knowledge about the Moon's surface itself and, in addition, monitor the stability of life-markers, such as cells, cell components and pigments, in an extraterrestrial environment with much closer radiation properties to the surface of Mars. The combination of a Raman data base of these data together with data from LEO and space simulation experiments, will lead to further progress on the analysis and interpretation of data that we will obtain from future Moon and Mars exploration missions.}, language = {en} }