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.