Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780309097246)

Recent spacecraft and robotic probes to Mars have yielded data that are changing our understanding significantly about the possibility of existing or past life on that planet. Coupled with advances in biology and life-detection techniques, these developments place increasing importance on the need to protect Mars from contamination by Earth-borne organisms. To help with this effort, NASA requested that the NRC examine existing planetary protection measures for Mars and recommend changes and further research to improve such measures. This report discusses policies, requirements, and techniques to protect Mars from organisms originating on Earth that could interfere with scientific investigations. It provides recommendations on cleanliness and biological burden levels of Mars-bound spacecraft, methods to reach those levels, and research to reduce uncertainties in preventing forward contamination of Mars.

Author: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sci,Space Studies Board
ISBN-10: 030909724X
ISBN-13: 9780309097246
Publisher: National Academies Press
Language: English
Published: 04/22/2006
Pages: 166
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 10.90h x 8.40w x 0.40d