As indicated by http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15806704, lichen is likely capable of surviving harsh conditions on the surface of Mars. Though more complex than simply 'crashing' a lichen-filled rocket into Mars, the undersigned petition the administration to direct NASA to spend $1 million (or less if possible) to create and launch (or outsource the creation and launch of) a vehicle sufficient for the task of spreading lichen onto the surface of Mars----even if it is only a small area or 'crash site'----before the end of the 2014 fiscal year.



