Is the Earth the right model and the only universal key to understand
habitability, the origin and maintenance of life? Are we able to detect
life elsewhere in the universe by the existing techniques and by the
upcoming space missions? This book tries to give answers by focusing on
environmental properties, which are playing a major role in influencing
planetary surfaces or the interior of planets and satellites. The book
gives insights into the nature of planets or satellites and their
potential to harbor life. Different scientific disciplines are searching
for the clues to classify planetary bodies as a habitable object and
what kind of instruments and what kind of space exploration missions are
necessary to detect life. Results from model calculations, field studies
and from laboratory studies in planetary simulation facilities will help
to elucidate if some of the planets and satellites in our solar system
as well as in extra-solar systems are potentially habitable for life.