There are still many questions about the future in space. Among other things, scientists seek to establish how life can develop. A group of Russian researchers plan to carry out an experiment in this regard. Is life possible on the Moon? They think they can answer that.
The experiment will be carried out on the artificial biosatellite Bion-M2. The goal is to try to clarify whether amino acids, carboxylic acids, nucleic bases and sugars could be formed in outer space. This is to test one of the most common hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth. This says amino acids and other simple organic compounds are bricks from which living organisms later appeared.
Tests in space
«Now we have the opportunity. We can see how realistic it is and in a real space flight,” announced Vyacheslav Ilín. He is head of the Human Microbial Ecology Laboratory. He works at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Who are the designers of the experiment? The Central Institute for Nuclear Research. They had previously carried out research under terrestrial conditions. It was done together with the Sapienza University of Rome. In this, formamide (formic acid amide) was bombarded by heavy particles. As a result, formamide produced various types of organics, including polymolecular organics.
The presentation of the experiment was carried out by Ilín. He indicated what they are looking for in the course of the experiment. They will study the possibility of forming complex compounds in the conditions of open space. They will compare the data with the results of experiments carried out previously.
One more step
Is life possible on the Moon? During the Bion program, from 1973 to 1996, 11 satellites were put into orbit with plants and animals on board. Among them, rats and monkeys. In the 21st century the program was resumed. The improved Bion-M1 flew in 2013 and the Bion-M2 mission was scheduled for July 2024. There is still no definitive answer. But we will soon know if we have taken another step in our conquest of space.
