Part 3/8:
Among the key experiments conducted were the Label Release Experiment and the Pyrolytic Release Experiment. Both were designed with pre-agreed criteria stipulating that a positive finding would indicate the presence of life.
The Label Release Experiment involved taking a sample of Martian soil and introducing a nutrient-rich solution laced with radioactive carbon. The experiment yielded a significant increase in radioactive carbon dioxide output—a response consistent with bacterial activity. This signal persisted for about three days, aligning perfectly with the anticipated behavior if life had been present.
Similarly, the Pyrolytic Release Experiment demonstrated that organic chemicals were being produced in the Martian soil, suggesting biological processes at work.