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Earth Bacteria May Hitch A Ride To The Stars

Posted by Zonk on from the they're-made-from-peeepul dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Space.com has an article on how old rocket stages are carrying bacteria from Earth to interstellar space. For example, four upper rocket stages were used to boost deep space probes Voyager 1, Voyager 2, Pioneer 10 and New Horizons. The spacecraft were sterilized, but the rocket stages were not, and they now carry the bacteria of the engineers who handled them. If the rocket stages hit a habitable planet, and the bacteria survive the journey, they would be able to reproduce and colonize the planet ... not that there's a high liklihood of that. 'In 40,000 years, this wayward 185-pound (84 kilogram) lump of metal will pass by the star AC+79 3888 at a distance of 1.64 light-years. ... Given the sheer expanse of time that lies ahead of the four discarded rockets, at least one is likely to eventually encounter a planet. But even if that planet's environment is conducive to life, the long dormant bacteria will not just gently plop into some exotic ocean. No soft landing can be expected.'"

6 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Don't worry... by tttonyyy · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...we'll send all the telephone sanitisers after the discarded rocket stages to clear up any unwanted bacteria. Get 'em loaded in the arc!

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    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
    1. Re:Don't worry... by Pharmboy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, I'm thinking that there was at least ONE engineer who didn't wash his hands after using the restroom, and how THOSE bacteria will become the overlords on some planet...

      --
      Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
  2. Future S.O.S by Recovering+Hater · · Score: 5, Funny

    And then some poor alien life forms will contract an illness from the bacteria. This in turn kills off the only other sentient beings besides humans. We will learn of this tragedy from messages recieved from SETI with aliens cursing humans. Oh the irony. Smallpox blankets in space. :P

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    My humor is probably your flamebait
  3. Not looking forward to that letter by brejc8 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dear Mr Johnson, We are contacting you from the planet Xunxu as you owe twenty five million dollars in child support charges for your population of contribution to our planet.

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    Mouse powered Chips, Open source Processors and Lego
  4. Re:Counterattack! by ObiWanStevobi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, there is always a chance that they may miscalculate the scale of us Earthings and get swallowed by a small dog upon arrival.

  5. Re:Justification? Sun must hit planet then right? by Bandman · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the drug store, but that's just peanuts to space.

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