Space agencies are gearing up to return Martian rock samples to Earth within the next decade, a mission that has sparked concerns regarding potential contamination by microbial life.

The quest for extraterrestrial life has intrigued humanity for centuries, and these upcoming missions aim to uncover signs of life by bringing back samples from Mars.

To enhance the chances of discovering biological material, space agencies are refining their detection methods for the Mars sample return missions.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology highlights the advancements in techniques for detecting ancient life.

Researchers, including Associate Professor Yohey Suzuki, faced challenges with conventional instruments that failed to detect microbial cells in 100-million-year-old basalt rock, leading to the development of a more sensitive technique.

The innovative method, known as optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, utilizes infrared light to analyze rock samples, enabling the imaging of structures as small as half a micrometer.

O-PTIR has proven effective in detecting microbial cells while preserving enough sample material for further analysis, making it a promising tool for future Mars missions.

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and NASA successfully demonstrated this method on ancient Earth rocks, which are similar to those found on Mars, aiming to apply it to 2 billion-year-old samples collected by the Perseverance rover.

The concern over extraterrestrial contamination is not new; Apollo astronauts underwent decontamination and quarantine procedures upon returning from the Moon.

To address contamination risks, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) has established a safety assessment framework and protocols for handling Martian samples during their collection, transport, and analysis.

The discovery of life on Mars would have profound implications, suggesting that life is not unique to Earth, while even samples devoid of life could provide valuable insights into Mars' geological and climatic history.

Looking ahead, Suzuki plans to test other rock types, such as carbonates, which are abundant on Mars and often associated with life, underscoring the exciting prospects in this research area.