26/569

November 25, 1958

Dr. Roger Stanier
Bacteriology Department
University of California
Berkeley h, California

Dear Dr. Staniers

As you probably know, the National Academy of
Sciences has recently established a Space Science Board, of
which I am a member, to survey the problems of scientific
research in space.

Presumably, within the next few years attempts
wili be made to land instruments on Mars and Venus, The most
interesting aspect of this program, I feel, is the. opportunity
it offers to determine whether or not some form of life exists
in those planets, I believe that we. should immediately give .
serious thought to the problem of detecting the presence of life
with instruments which, at the beginning at least, will only be
able to transmit a limited amount of information, A small group
of biologists, chemists and physicists will meet here informally
on December 19 and 20 for a preliminary discussion of this problem.
Your presence at this meeting will be extremely valuable and I
hope that you will find it possible to be with us. Your expenses,
of course, will be paid by the Space Science Board.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.
With kindest regards,

Sincerely yours,

Brune Rossi

BReon