Overview
- The University College London space scientist says a positive detection by about 2075 is realistic, emphasizing this is a probabilistic assessment rather than a claim of current proof.
- She expects the first find to be simple microbial organisms — described as likely appearing as “grey sludge” — rather than humanoid aliens.
- Her view draws on Drake-style reasoning that billions of galaxies and countless exoplanets make extraterrestrial life statistically probable.
- She points to 2025 hints that fuel optimism, including reported atmospheric molecules on exoplanet K2-18b and NASA’s strongest yet indication of possible past life on Mars from mineral patterns in ancient mudstones.
- She urges strict containment if life is found, noting plans for specialist laboratories and highlighting planetary-protection protocols as essential.