| Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars Contributor(s): National Research Council (Author), Division on Engineering and Physical Sci (Author), Space Studies Board (Author) |
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ISBN: 030909724X ISBN-13: 9780309097246 Publisher: National Academies Press OUR PRICE: $42.75 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2006 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Technology & Engineering | Aeronautics & Astronautics - Science | Physics - Astrophysics - Science | Space Science |
| Dewey: 629.435 |
| LCCN: 2006279287 |
| Physical Information: 0.4" H x 8.4" W x 10.9" (1.05 lbs) 166 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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. |