Earth's first interstellar expedition seems to be a disaster. During the long journey most of the passengers die from radiation sickness. When at last the spacecraft arrives, it crash-lands on the surface of a bleak and barren world. The capsule splits open and the alien air finishes off many of the remaining explorers. Over the ensuing days, some of the few survivors succumb to the extreme temperatures, while others die after drinking from pools of acid.
But one stalwart survives. Soon there is even better news: our explorer divides into two clones. Earth life reproduces for the first time under the light of an alien star. Its offspring mutate and begin to adapt to their new home, eventually spreading across the planet and evolving into new forms of life. That's one small step for a bug, one giant leap for bugkind.
Why would we want to replace Captain Kirk with a bacterium? Because the dream of humans travelling to other stars, while not impossible, may yet turn out to be unfeasible.
There may others out there who aren't pleased about that prospect. To read the rest of the article, click here.