M. Tabata
Papers
1
Total Citations
17
H-Index
1
About
M. Tabata is a leading astrobiologist whose research centers on the interplanetary transport of life and organic compounds, with a focus on the Tanpopo mission—a name inspired by the dandelion’s wind-dispersed seeds. As the principal investigator of this groundbreaking project, Tabata proposed and developed experiments for the Exposure Facility of the Japan Experimental Module (JEM: KIBO) on the International Space Station. The Tanpopo mission investigates the panspermia hypothesis by capturing micrometeoroids and exposing microbes to the harsh space environment, testing whether life can migrate between celestial bodies. Tabata’s most-cited paper, "Tanpopo: Astrobiology Exposure and Micrometeoroid Capture Experiments" (2014, 17 citations), outlines these pioneering experiments and has become a foundational reference in space astrobiology. This work has significantly advanced our understanding of organic compound stability and microbial survival in low-Earth orbit, with implications for the origins of life on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere in the solar system. Tabata’s contributions have positioned the Tanpopo mission as a cornerstone of international astrobiology research, inspiring future exploration of life’s cosmic journey.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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