Scientific Perspective: ISRO Chief S. Somanath emphasizes that the vastness of the universe and the diversity of planetary systems make the existence of alien life a strong possibility.
Astrobiological Evidence: The search for microbial life on Mars and the discovery of extremophiles on Earth (organisms that thrive in extreme conditions) support the idea that life could exist in various forms on other planets.
Exoplanets: The identification of thousands of exoplanets in the habitable zones of their stars by missions like NASA’s Kepler and TESS adds credibility to the belief that some of these planets could harbor life.
Cosmic Conditions: S. Somanath points out that the chemical building blocks of life, such as amino acids, are found throughout the cosmos, indicating that the ingredients for life are widespread.
Technological Advancements: The rapid advancement in space exploration technologies and missions to explore distant celestial bodies increase the likelihood of discovering extraterrestrial life.
Scientific Community’s Belief: Somanath aligns with the growing consensus among scientists that we are not alone in the universe, citing ongoing research and the potential for future discoveries.
ISRO’s Role: The ISRO chief highlights India's growing role in space exploration and its contribution to the global search for extraterrestrial life through future missions.
Ethical Considerations: Somanath also touches on the ethical implications of encountering alien life, emphasizing the need for humanity to be prepared for such a profound discovery.