Interplanetary transfer of photosynthesis: an experimental demonstration of a selective dispersal filter in planetary island biogeography.

We launched a cryptoendolithic habitat, made of a gneissic impactite inoculated with Chroococcidiopsis sp., into Earth orbit. After orbiting the Earth for 16 days, the rock entered the Earth's atmosphere and was recovered in Kazakhstan.

Atmospheric entry simulations of Mars lander bioload--experiments in support of Beagle 2.

Simulations of the temperature and vacuum effects of Martian atmospheric entry upon Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis var niger; 8058; NCIMB) endospores were carried out inside a purpose-built vacuum chamber. The work formed part of the study in support of planetary protection for the Beagle 2 Mars lander and investigated to what extent the outer surface of the lander's back heat shield would be sterilised during Mars atmospheric entry. The spores were heated to peak temperatures up to 300 degrees C over 30 s under vacuum conditions (10(-3) mbar).

The microbiology of spacecraft hardware: lessons learned from the planetary protection activities on the Beagle 2 spacecraft.

We consider the aseptic assembly of the Beagle 2 Mars probe and how the requirements of COSPAR planetary protection category IVa were achieved. Several areas for future investigation became apparent. An ESA mission is outlined in which a microbial bioburden is recovered after Earth orbit to assess viability following re-entry through the atmosphere.