Some final conclusions and supporting experiments related to the search for organic compounds on the surface of Mars

• Main Authors: Biemann, K., Lavoie, J. M., Jr.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1979
• Subjects: 55; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19800042220

The Viking molecular analysis experiment has demonstrated the absence (within the detection limits which range from levels of parts per million to below parts per billion) of organic substances in the Martian surface soil at the two Viking landing sites. Laboratory experiments with sterile and nonsterile antarctic samples further demonstrate the capability and reliability of the instrument. The circumstances under which organic components could have escaped detection, such as inaccessibility or extreme thermal stability of organic polymers, are discussed but are found to be unlikely. The inability of the instrument to detect free oxygen evolved from soil samples is pointed out.