Coordinated by Prof Martin van Kranendonk, LifeSprings Mars is a new concept for a ‘light-and-nimble’, low-cost sample return mission to Mars with the aim of discovering signs of past life on the red planet. The proposed mission will be completed via a single launch from Earth which is science-based and led by international team of world experts.
The target is hotspring deposits that represent the best chance to search for ancient life on Mars. Prof van Kranendonk currently runs field trips to the Pilbarra, Western Australia, to show international collaborators from NASA and elsewhere ancient microbial fossils – evidence of Earth’s early life.
Fieldtrips to the Pilbara
LifeSpringsMars Program Director Prof. Martin Van Kranendonk leads members from NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, the European Space Agency, the Australian Space Agency, and CSIRO on field expeditions to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.