Gallery: Martians Might Be Real. That Makes Mars Exploration Way More Complicated

  • Image may contain Animal Invertebrate Sea Life Seashell and Conch
    The Science Picture Company/Alamy
    01

    ff-mars-tardigrades.jpg

    Tardigrades These [rotund little animals](https://www.wired.com/2014/03/absurd-creature-week-water-bear/) can withstand extreme heat, cold, pressure, and radiation. In 2007, the European Space Agency sent more than 3,000 tardigrades into space for 12 days. Two thirds of them came back unscathed.
  • Image may contain Text Alphabet and Animal
    Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
    02

    ff-mars-nematode.jpg

    Nematodes Also known as roundworms, some of these critters can freeze their metabolism when there’s no food or oxygen and enter a state called cryptobiosis. Nematodes were the only known survivors of the space shuttle *Columbia* disaster.
  • Image may contain Sphere Necklace Jewelry Accessories Accessory Bubble and Droplet
    Pedro Cardoso/Alamy
    03

    ff-mars-cave-bacteria-1.jpg

    Cave Bacteria In 2006, a group of microbiologists discovered a colony of bacteria in a deep fracture of a South African gold mine, more than a mile down. The colony had survived for millions of years without ever being exposed to the sun.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Animal and Sea Life
    Eye of Science/Science Source
    04

    ff-mars-bacillus.jpg

    *Bacillus pumilus* The spores of this bacterium display unusually high resistance to the treatment that NASA uses to sterilize rovers before they’re sent off to space. So it’s a decent bet that some of these are still stuck to the Curiosity rover, now on Mars.
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Fitness Trackers Check Your Sleep, Heart Rate, or Even Your Blood
With almost ten years of hands-on testing, WIRED knows what separates the best fitness trackers from the rest.
Adrienne So
The Best MagSafe Grips for Getting a Handle on Things
Keep your phone firmly in hand and add some personality with these comfortable, durable, and nifty smartphone grips.
Louryn Strampe
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
These Are Our Favorite Standing Desks to Liven Up Your Workstation
Take your home office to new heights with our favorite motorized standing desks.
Nicole Kinning
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.
Julian Chokkattu