Sample interview questions: How do you approach studying the potential for life in the subsurface of asteroids or comets?
Sample answer:
Approaching Subsurface Life Study in Asteroids and Comets:
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Identify targets with subsurface access: Assess the composition, surface characteristics, and potential subsurface environments of asteroids and comets that may harbor liquid water or other conditions suitable for life.
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Employ remote sensing techniques: Use telescopes, spectrometers, and other instruments to study the targets’ surface and near-surface composition, morphology, and thermal properties, seeking evidence of past or present hydrothermal activity, liquid water, or organic molecules.
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Develop and deploy subsurface exploration missions: Design and implement space missions to send probes to the targets, equipped with instruments to penetrate the subsurface and analyze the environment, searching for biomarkers, organic matter, or evidence of biological processes.
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Extract samples for analysis: If warranted,… Read full answer