Anaerobic microbiology in the NASA space program.

After briefly reviewing the earlier methods used to monitor the microbial load of returned lunar material, the author reports the more accurate research on the ability of terrestrial organisms to grow under simulated Martian environments. The possible importance of anaerobic microbiology can readily be seen because of the low level of O2 found on Mars. The question of whether any of the experiments on board the Viking landers show any indication of life on Mars is discussed in detail.