Over 45 years ago, the Viking Project found a place in history when it became the first U.S. If there's something out there, we may not yet know how to recognize it.ĭive into the past, present, and future of NASA’s search for life in the universe. The search for life requires great care, and is based in the knowledge we gain by studying life on Earth through the lens of astrobiology. The study of organisms in extreme environments on Earth, from the polar plateau of Antarctica to the depths of the ocean, have highlighted that life as we know it is highly adaptable, but not always easy to find. As NASA explores the solar system, our understanding of life on Earth and the potential for life on other worlds has changed alongside the many discoveries. This work has been important in shaping ideas about where to focus search for life efforts. Through the study of astrobiology, NASA invests in understanding the origins, evolution, and limits of life on Earth. From studying the habitability of Mars, probing promising “oceans worlds,” such as Titan and Europa, to identifying Earth-size planets around distant stars, our science missions are working together with a goal to find unmistakable signs of life beyond Earth (a field of science called astrobiology).
NASA is exploring the solar system and beyond to help us answer fundamental questions about life beyond our home planet. Are we alone in the universe? So far, the only life we know of is right here on Earth.
