Many space missions are searching for life beyond Earth – but are we prepared for the fallout if they succeed?

Historical events hold lessons about collaboration and competition in space that could inform how experts plan for the discovery of life beyond Earth.

Several space missions are searching for extraterrestrial life, which could come in the form of microbes. ClaudioVentrella/iStock via Getty Images Plus Microbes from space have fueled the plots of science fiction mainstays like “Project Hail Mary” and “The Andromeda Strain.” But with more space missions launching each