Following conditions on the surface of Mars
Following launch, the microbes are firstly exposed to harshinterplanetary conditions of solar UV irradiation, extreme desiccation, extremetemperature variation Furthermore,at post landing, the conditions on the surface of Mars are not conducive tolife and are considerably worse for the microbes than the journey throughinterplanetary space.
Recent studies have reported a variety of biocidalconditions on Mars and include;extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations, solar particle events, solar UVCirradiation, low pressure, extreme desiccating conditions, cosmic rays, solarUV-induced volatile oxidants such as perchlorates. The martian surface has particularlyhigh salt levels (e.g.
, MgCl2, NaCl, FeSO4, andMgSO4), highacidity and high concentrations of heavy metals. high CO2concentrations in the global atmosphere. Currently, we know verylittle about the terrestrial microorganisms typically found on spacecraftsurfaces and whether these microorganisms would be able to grow, survive andreplicate under conditions encountered on the surface of Mars
