Photo: Bioweapon Sensor Mirrors "Star Trek" Tricorder



Mars Science Laboratory, NASA's next generation Mars rover seen at left in this artist's conception, will be much larger than the Spirit and Opportunity rovers now exploring the red planet.

One of the scanning devices rovers may carry in the future is a life-sign sensor that could search for the biochemical actions of extraterrestrial organisms.

Image courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

Listen to your favorite National Geographic news daily, anytime, anywhere from your mobile phone. No wires or syncing. Download Stitcher free today.