Mars and the Earthlings: A Realistic View on Mars Exploration and Settlement

Cyprien Verseux: Junior Research Group Leader of the Laboratory of Applied Space Microbiology (LASM) at the University of Bremen's Center for Applied Space Technologies and Microgravity (ZARM). His young research group focuses on the development of bio-processes in support of future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. Beside his work in the laboratory, he has conducted field work, most notably during a one-year appointment as the Station Leader and Glaciologist at the Concordia research station (Antarctica) and as the Crew Biologist in the one-year, NASA-funded HI-SEAS IV mission (Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii).

Kirsi Lehto is a Molecular biologist, lecturer in molecular biology, and in astrobiology. She is author of: Teerikorpi, P., Valtonen, M., Lehto, K., Lehto, H., Byrd, G., and Chernin, A., 2009,The Evolving Universe and the Origin of Life. The Search for Our Cosmic Roots. Springer. ISBN: 978-0-387- 09533-2, 508 pp. Second edition. 2019. ISBN 978-3-030-17920-5; two books on astrobiology in Finnish, e.g. Astrobiologia (Ursa, the science book of the year 2019 in Finland).

Michel Viso: A veterinary doctor by training, was selected as a French Astronaut by CNES (without flight) and held a position of Project scientist at CNES for numerous biological space experiments. He was then responsible for Planetary protection for CNES, representing France in various international committees from 1999 to 2021. He has simultaneously been Programme Scientist for Astrobiology and Exoplanets at CNES for more than 15 years before retiring. He is currently working as a science advisor for

Innovaxiom, a company specialised in communication for science andtechnology. He recently joined the Solar System Exploration Panel of the European Space Science Committee. He was a Book Editor of the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Springer, 2011, 2015, 2023.

Muriel Gargaud is an Astrophysicist and Director of Research at CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique). She has lead several large publishing collaborations

as Chief Editor of 1) "Encyclopedia of Astrobiology", Springer, 2011, 2015, 2023; 2) "Young sun, early earth and the origins of life: lessons for astrobiology", Springer, 2012; 3) "From suns to life: a chronological approach to the history of life on Earth", Springer, 2006; 4) Lectures in astrobiology, Vol.1, Springer, 2005; 5) Lectures in astrobiology, Vol.2, Springer, 2006. Since 2019 she is the vice chair of the European Astrobiology Institute.