So if they actually find fossils of a few inches in size in the rocks, that really would be a seismic discovery.

Forum Editor Quote: "If traces of life were found it would certainly increase the likelihood that it has also developed elsewhere in the universe."

No, simply not true. The chance of life existing elsewhere in the universe is completely unaffected by what we discover, or fail to discover, on Mars. The two events are completely unlinked, and many posters here are confusing the two.

Imagine if the probe were either to i) land and find life, or ii) explode just before landing (and then finding life). Would you imagine that the exploding spacecraft would reduce the chances of there being life elsewhere in the Universe? That that explosion would cause life to vanish in some faraway part of the Universe? Of course not, it's absurd. The discovery of life on Mars, or the discovery there is no life on Mars has absolutely no effect on whether there is life in other parts of the Universe.

It may well increase our understanding and evaluating the chance of life, but increasing the likelihood that life has also developed elsewhere??? Nah, no chance, no way.

If we ever do find 'traces' of life on Mars it will be very difficult to safely (without contamination) tranport the Martian 'critters' the long journey back home to Earth.

Funnily enough I used to frequent a pub called The Mars Bar in central Glasgow...late 70's...with my big mate Brian...honest!