I still give better than even chances that there is microbiotic life on Mars. The surface is incredibly hostile, and it's very likely that any life would be difficult to locate. I was a bit disappointed that Curiosity wasn't more equipped to search for signatures of life. Ultimately, it might come down to human exploration to really determine if life is there. It is a very interesting point that we might not have had another candidate for colonization in our solar system. People often frame Mars colonization in terms of the difficulties, however, it's almost dumb luck that we can even entertain the notion. We have the current technology to colonize Mars. Now we just need to wait for the costs to fall and the our will to do it to rise.
I have absolutely no idea where I stand on this question anymore. It's so tough. I'm almost more interested in whether or not abiogenesis occurred twice in our solar system. I think that would have more relevance to our understanding of life in the universe. Apparently the ESA 2016 and NASA 2020 missions will be better equipped to check of this. I've also heard a few people saying that our best way to find out would be to bring back large samples of Martian rocks. Let's go Mars-One! Exactly! I would hazard a guess that we are very lucky to have two planets in the same solar system with the potential to support complex life. That's probably very rare.I still give better than even chances that there is microbiotic life on Mars.
I was a bit disappointed that Curiosity wasn't more equipped to search for signatures of life.
Ultimately, it might come down to human exploration to really determine if life is there.
however, it's almost dumb luck that we can even entertain the notion.
My thoughts as well. I honestly think the robots are all going to come up empty on proof of life. Precursors, tell-tale signs, and markers pointing to life they have already been found. But life itself? Actual proof? Like "Here's a microbe!" My bet is it's there, but won't be found until a manned mission, and that once people are there, they find it within days. They can do more labratory science in an hour on the surface than Curiosity and all other past rover programs can do combined. The only unmanned program I think that could do it, would be sample-return mission... which only because it could be analyzed by scientists here on Earth.Ultimately, it might come down to human exploration to really determine if life is there.