The possibilities for life outside of Earth is a topic with innumerable perspectives and ideas, books, movies, and even albums, but how does our current technology measure up? In this episode, we鈥檒l talk with two scientists about far-out ideas like using bacteria to mine asteroids, or whether or not we can terraform Mars. We鈥檒l see where our current tech stands, what we might need to consider, and what we can and can鈥檛 accomplish in the near future. 听
Dr. Luis Zea is an assistant research professor for CU 麻豆影院 Aerospace who specializes in the intriguing field of bioastronautics, studying how biology and space interact. His interests span everything from gravitational microbiology to biomining and bio-based resource utilization. His work asks questions like 鈥淗ow can we protect our astronauts from bacterial contamination?鈥 and 鈥淗ow can microorganisms help us mine metals from asteroids?鈥 Dr. Zea is also part of the Artemis mission, leading an investigation using yeasts to study the radiation environment of the moon.听
Dr. Bruce Jakosky is a professor at CU 麻豆影院, Associate Director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Principal Investigator of the MAVEN spacecraft mission, and newly-appointed member of the National Space Council User鈥檚 Advisory Group. His expertise in geology and cosmochemistry make him a leading expert in Mars鈥檚 atmosphere and what it would take to make the Red Planet habitable. In fact, he鈥檚 authored two books on the search for life in the universe and leads the CU team for NASA鈥檚 Astrobiology Institute. If anyone knows how to create a liveable Mars, it鈥檚 Dr. Jakosky! But does he think we can do it?