Dr. Jan Špaček

Ashton interviews Dr. Jan Špaček, an astrobiologist and senior research scientist at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution -- about many topics including Mars Sample Return, life on Mars, and life on Venus. Listen in as we explore the thrilling world of Martian exploration and the ongoing quest to discover life beyond Earth. Jan explains that since the Viking missions of the 1970s, NASA hasn't focused on searching for life on Mars; however, his project, ALFA, aims to change that. This episode also discusses possible US competition on Mars, like China’s future mission to probe Mars' subsurface ice. We discuss the critical importance of Mars Sample Return missions before human exploration, the potential for life on Venus, and the intriguing economics of commercial spaceflight versus traditional NASA missions. Tune in to explore the intersections of science, technology, and the big existential questions that drive us to reach for the stars. AlfaMars #MARS #LifeonMars