Astronomers successfully launch 'Life on Mars "Pregnancy Test"' probe

Astronomers have launched into space the key components of a new approach to discover life on Mars.The test is part of a 12-day low Earth orbit experiment to assess their survivability in the space radiation experiment - a prelude to future journeys to Mars, and is based in technology similar to that used in pregnancy test kits.The so-called immunoassays are embodied in the "Life Marker Chip" (LMC) experiment, which has the potential to detect trace levels of biomarkers in the Martian environment.Biomarkers are molecular fingerprints that indicate if life currently is, or ever was, present on Mars. The LMC experiment has been proposed for the European Space Agency's ExoMars rover mission, which is planned for launch in 2013.