Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exobiology?

Summarised, Exobiology is the study of Life in the Universe. It involves many different sciences such as: astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, palaeontology, atmospheric physics, planetary physics and stellar physics.

What programmes does ESA have related to Exobiology?

Exobiology falls under ESA's Life Science Programme of the Human Spaceflight Directorate. Exobiological research was first done in the 1980's when the Exobiology and Radiation Assembly (ERA) for the EURECA platform was developed. Later many experiments were performed on Russian Bion and Foton capsules. In the Columbus research module for the International Space Station there are three highly versatile facilities available for research: Biolab, EMCS and EXPOSE.