sources of energy, including chemical, thermal and electromagnetic. Determining the role of water (past or present) in the geological processes at the landing site. Investigate the factors that will affect the preservation of potential signs of life (past or present) This refers to the potential for a particular biosignature to survive and therefore be detected in a particular habitat. Also, post-collection preservation may be required for later sample retrieval, although that would necessitate a further assessment of precision landing of the Mars sample return mission. Investigate the possibility of prebiotic chemistry on Mars, including non-carbon biochemistry. Document any anomalous features that can be hypothesized as possible Martian biosignatures. It is fundamental to the AFL concept to understand that organisms and their environment constitute a system, within which any one part can affect the other. If life exists or has existed on Mars, scientific measurements to be considered would focus on understanding those systems that support or supported it. If life never existed while conditions were suitable for life formation, understanding why a Martian genesis never occurred would be a future priority. The AFL team stated that it is reasonable to expect that missions like AFL will play a significant role in this process, but unreasonable to expect that they will bring it to a conclusion. See also References External links Astrobiology Field Laboratory Summary Mars Astrobiology Field Lab Rover (AFL) Mission Profile Final report of the Astrobiology Field Laboratory Science Steering Group (September 2006) Cancelled spacecraft Mars rovers Proposed NASA space probes Missions to Mars Cancelled astrobiology space missions