On December 4, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Exploration held a hearing about the search for extraterrestrial life. It was given the title: “Astrobiology: The Search for Biosignatures in our Solar System and Beyond.”

Below is the official hearing charter about the event.

 Astrobiology: The Search for Biosignatures in our Solar System and Beyond Hearing Charter, December 4, 2013 [4 Pages, 400kb] – The purpose of this hearing is to examine astrobiology research and the search for biosignatures in our Solar System and beyond. The hearing will include a general assessment of the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of astrobiology research, including the role astrobiology plays in formulating NASA space missions.

Document Archive

The following documents are from the research collected on extraterrestrial life, civilizations, communication and exploration.

 Extraterrestrial Life In The Universe [10 Pages]

 The Search for a Rationale for Interstellar Communications [8 Pages, 600kb] – The paper explores the motives that have been given, or that might lie behind the expressed desire to communicate with other intelligent life forms living elsewhere in our Galaxy.

 The Search for Signals of Extraterrestrial Life [10 Pages, 600KB] – The search for signals of extraterrestial life is connected with the general problem of existence and distribution of intelligent life in the universe, which for a long time was a province of science fiction or at the most a province of speculative conclusions. However recently it became an object of scientific research. More than that, a portion of the problem which relates to the form of life of the planets of the solar system has already been partially solved. On the basis of astronomical, radioastronomical, and direct experimental research, it can be concluded that not only do civilizations not exist on the nearest planets of the solar system, but even the existence of simple forms of life there is questionable.

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Deep Space Communication

 Research Summary Number 36-1. Volume 1 for the Period 1 December 1959-1 February 1960 [ 10 Pages, 4.1MB ] – As part of the United States Deep Space Research Program, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is establishing a system of space probe radio communication stations to be known as the Deep Space Instrumentation Facility (DSIF).

Deep Space Travel

 Outer Space Propulsion by Nuclear Energy, January/February 1958 [ 239 Pages, 17.5MB ] – The Joint Committee on Atomic Energy has for a number of years concerned itself with the development of nuclear propulsion for a variety of peacetime and military uses. Perhaps the most outstanding example of nuclear propulsion in action is the Nautilus and its counterparts in the underseas fleet of the United States Navy. This document is the: SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES EIGHTY-FIFTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON OUTER SPACE PROPULSION BY NUCLEAR ENERGY.

 Twenty-First Century Space Propulsion Study, October 1990 [ 76 Pages, 4.46MB ] – The contract objective was to monitor the research at the forefront of physics and engineering to discover new space propulsion concepts. The major topics covered were antiproton annihilation propulsion, solar sails, space tethers, microspacecraft, and unconventional propulsion concepts. Nine papers were published on : (1) using light pressure to levitate a communication satellite poleward from its position on the equatorial geosynchronous orbit; (2) a ‘polesitter’ spacecraft that uses light pressure to hover over the polar regions of the earth; (3) a complete analysis of all the forces on a non-ideal ‘grey’ solar sail; (4) a new solar sail design with better performance than a standard solar sail; (5) a new tether transportation system called the ‘cable catapult’; (6) a thorough analysis of propulsion using negative matter; (7) a review of space warps; and (8,9) two reviews of advanced space propulsion. Also published were issues 8 through 18 of the Mirror Matter newsletter on the science and technology of stored antimatter. Five other reports are included as appendices.

 Twenty-First Century Space Propulsion Study Addendum, June 1991 [ 40 Pages, 2.28MB ] – This addendum to the final report on the contract (AL-TR-90-030, 21st Century Space Propulsion Study, (Oct 1990, ADA229279) evaluates a number of new space propulsion and sensor concepts. The major topics covered were coherent neutrino scattering and its application to neutrino sensors, the use of tethers for power and propulsion in space, the application of high pressure, high energy density materials, specifically metallic hydrogen, to divert velocity thrusters, and the use of solar sails to provide a non-orbiting space platform for surveillance and space-to-surface missiles. Two technical papers, included as appendices, are entitled: Surgical strikes from space using solar sail satellites; The Weber effect experiments.

Advanced Space Propulsion Study – Antiproton and Beamed Power Propulsion, October 1987  – The contract objective was to monitor the research at the forefront of physics and engineering to discover new spacecraft propulsion concepts. The major topics covered were antiproton annihilation propulsion, laser thermal propulsion, laser-pushed lightsails, tether transportation systems, solar sails, and metallic hydrogen. Five papers were prepared and are included as appendices. They covered 1) pellet, microwave, and laser beamed power systems for interstellar transport; 2) a design for a near-relativistic laser-pushed lightsail using near-term laser technology; 3) a survey of laser thermal propulsion, tether transportation systems, antiproton annihilation propulsion, exotic applications of solar sails, and laser-pushed interstellar lightsails; 4) the status of antiproton annihilation propulsion as of 1986, and 5) the prospects for obtaining antimatter ions heavier than antiprotons. Two additional appendices contain the first seven issues of the Mirror Matter Newsletter concerning the science and technology of antimatter, and an annotated bibliography of antiproton science and technology.

 Design and Stress Analysis of Extraterrestrial Electric Rocket Engines, 1970 [ 670 Pages, 29.67MB ] – Given are general data on the design of electric rocket engines calculation of their strength and vibrations, evaluation of their reliability. Considerable attention is given to power generators of cosmic engine installations. Analyzed are structural diagrams of nuclear reactors, isotopic power supply sources, solar concentrators and chemical fuel elements. Given are methods for calculation of strength of various generator parts; housings, casings, and walls, perforated plates under load. Discussed is the calculation of temperature stresses in heat-releasing reactor elements.

 Controlled Fusion for Space Propulsion, April 1963 [ 24 Pages, 1.1MB ] – Since controlled fusion will probably be achieved in the near future, the feasibility of applying it to the propulsion of space vehicles was studied. Some qualitative arguments are given to support the technical feasibility of this application. Problem areas that require solution prior to the establishment of design philosophy are also discussed. Because of the potential of a fusion-propelled space vehicle for the accomplishment of very high energy missions, a preliminary research program for investigating the feasibility of fusion energy for propulsion is deemed justified.

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