NASA astrophysicist Thomas Zurbachen told the US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology today that its latest mission showed that one of Saturn's moons is capable of hosting aquatic alien life.

He said this means that if it proves true the chances of life being elsewhere in the Universe or vastly increased.

The Cassini space probe has analysed Enceladus and found hydrothermal reaction are happening between water and rock below its icy surface.

This is the process that is needed to happen for the most simplistic forms of life to begin.

Another probe will now investigate if the most simplistic form of life - micro organisms - are present on Enceladus.