Winston,If the soil was not alkalyne the...

Winston,
If the soil was not alkalyne then the superoxides explanation for the viking results would be false. So by defenition it is a key validation point. A yes/no branch in a logic path.

The quote from the release 'We are awash in chemistry data' is the key indicator that they have the data to analyse. Thus the mission to my mind is successful.

Also I do not equate Cornell and other institutions scientists, geologists and other researchers with some kind of US government officialdom that has a fixation on a sterile Mars. That isd a statement more worthy of the Hoaxland site. As far as I can see they review all possibilities, including biology in analysing results. In fact there have been contentious releases such as the martian meteorite suggesting life on Mars that have caused some embarrasment.

I am not sure what the mars-paradigm that will be shattered is?