Search for “Origin of Life”:
ISRO-TIFR Balloon based Experiment

ISRO, jointly with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) conducted a balloon based experiment on April 20, 2005 to search for any micro-organisms that could be present in the stratosphere (20 km – 41 km altitudes). While the earthly organisms and other life systems live in the congenial terrestrial environment, the troposphere which is 20 km above the earth’s surface experiences high doses of radiation due to ultraviolet rays and inhibits their sustenance in such hostile environment. Also, the atmospheric pressure being 10 times to 500 times lower in these regions, survival of any earthly micro-organisms is very difficult.

However, it is believed that during the origin of the universe, some of the life supporting systems could have originated from extra terrestrial source. These theories have so far been unfounded for want of proof to determine the availability of organisms above the tropospheric altitude.

Balloon carrying ISRO–TIFR experiment being readied for launch

ISRO’s balloon experiment conducted from Hyderabad was to ascertain the possibilities of detecting any micro-organism, which can thrive under the extreme UV radiation. The experiment involved collection of air samples at various levels from 20 km to 41 km using a cryosampler developed by ISRO. The cryosampler is an electromechanical device to collect air samples under pre-evacuated condition. Opening and closing of valves to allow air samples inside the collection tubes are controlled remotely from ground. The sampling tubes had been prepared under sterile conditions to make sure that there was no terrestrial source of contamination.
The high vacuum in the sampling tubes and super cooled liquid Neon provided extremely low temperatures of –270o C to enable collection of air samples in large quantity.

The 14 million cubic feet Hydrogen filled balloon carrying the 660 kg cryosampler collected air samples at 24 km, 27 km, 30 km, 35 km, 40 km and 41 km. After the air sample collection and sealing of the tubes, the cryosampler was separated from the main balloon bubble and allowed to descend near Gulbarga, 250 km west of Hyderabad. With the support of an Indian Air Force helicopter, the cryosampler was recovered within 3 hours.

CCMB Laboratory, Hyderabad and National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, are carrying out critical analysis of the air samples for the detection of any micro-organisms in the stratosphere.
If it is found that micro-organisms have existed in the hostile environment at stratospheric altitude, they will be independent of terrestrial origin. This, in turn, could perhaps lead to the hypothesis that “Origin of Life” was from an extra terrestrial source which eventually led to evolutionary mechanisms and established a complex system of living organisms in the earth’s atmosphere. However, the hypothesis needs extended observations and continued scientific investigations.