We can measure water, methane, etc. but the outcome is always ambiguous. It might be biological, it might be geological, it might be something else. At what point will we know with certainty that there is life? Are such missions already in the works, or do they have to wait until other missions provide places to search, etc. How long should we expect to wait until we find out?
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No one can answer that question. There already have been several missions that have tested for life on mars (and found nothing definitive) and there are many more planned. The problem is it's hard to prove a negative. A mission that comes back negative for life does not mean that there is no life on mars, just that that particular test failed. So we may never know for sure because our tests may just keep coming up negative. It is also entirely possible, though highly unlikely, that a photo from one of the rovers taken tomorrow will show some sign of life. Unfortunately we just have to wait. Since that was surely an unsatisfactory answer here is a some info on the past and future missions looking for life on mars: |
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