// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Abiogenesis
The natural process by which life arises from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds, under specific environmental conditions.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Abiogenesis is the scientific hypothesis explaining the origin of life on Earth from inorganic or inanimate matter, involving chemical evolution from simple molecules to complex organic compounds, polymers, and eventually self-replicating systems.
BACKGROUND
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth's atmosphere and between celestial bodies. It contains ultra-low levels of particle densities, constituting a near-perfect vacuum of predominantly hydrogen and helium plasma, permeated by electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, neutrinos, magnetic fields and dust. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Origin of life
- chemical evolution
USAGE NOTE
Abiogenesis is a fundamental concept in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life on other planets or moons.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Abiogenesis.
A division within NASA that funds and directs research into the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It supports missions and laboratory work aimed at understanding the necessary conditions for abiogenesis.
A non-profit research organization that conducts scientific research in astrobiology, including the study of the origin of life. Its Carl Sagan Center for Research is home to scientists investigating prebiotic chemistry and the potential for life on other worlds.
ESA's science program includes missions focused on astrobiology, such as the ExoMars rover designed to search for signs of past life and the JUICE mission to explore Jupiter's icy moons, which may harbor environments suitable for life's emergence.
A research institute at the Tokyo Institute of Technology dedicated to an integrated study of the origin and evolution of both Earth and life, directly addressing fundamental questions about abiogenesis through experimental and theoretical research.
A non-profit research institute that fosters and enables research in astrobiology and the origins of life. It supports a distributed network of scientists working on questions central to understanding how life begins.
Manages and develops many of NASA's robotic missions, including Mars rovers like Perseverance, which carries instruments specifically designed to search for organic molecules and potential biosignatures related to prebiotic chemistry.
A research foundation that applies synthetic biology and chemistry to understand the origin of life. It creates alternative genetic polymers to explore the specific chemical requirements necessary for life to emerge from non-living matter.
An interdisciplinary research center at Harvard University that brings together researchers from fields like astronomy, chemistry, and biology to collaborate on solving the puzzle of life's origins on Earth and its potential to exist elsewhere.