Planetary Protection for Human Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-08.A1.3.10
- Author
Dr. Catharine A. Conley, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Headquarters, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. John D. Rummel, East Carolina University, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
When searching for life beyond Earth, the unique capabilities of human astronauts can be utilized effectively only if the biological contamination associated with human presence is monitored and minimized. Controlling biological contamination during planetary exploration is termed planetary protection, and will a critical element in the human exploration of other solar system bodies. Planetary protection must be incorporated from the earliest stages of mission planning and development, to ensure proper implementation. Issues of concern to planetary protection involve both 'forward contamination,’ which is the contamination of other solar system bodies by Earth microbes and organic materials, and 'backward contamination,’ which is the contamination of Earth systems by potential alien life. Forward contamination involves contamination that might invalidate current or future scientific exploration of a particular solar system body, and that might disrupt the planetary environment or a potential endogenous (alien) ecosystem. Backward contamination involves the potential for harmful contamination of the Earth, and for human missions includes the possible immediate and long-term effects on the health of the astronaut explorers from possible biologically-active materials encountered during exploration. A number of national and international workshops held over the last six years have generated a consensus regarding planetary protection policies and requirements for human missions to Mars, and a 2007 workshop held by NASA has considered the issues and benefits to planetary protection that might be offered by a return to the Moon. Conclusions from these workshops recognize that some degree of forward contamination associated with human astronaut explorers is inevitable. Nevertheless, the principles and policies of planetary protection, developed by COSPAR in accordance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, can and should be followed when humans are exploring space. Implementation guidelines include documenting and minimizing contamination of the exploration targets, protection at the most stringent levels for any target locations in which Earth life might grow, protection of humans from exposure to untested planetary materials, and preventing harmful contamination of the Earth as the highest priority of all missions. These principles should be incorporated in frameworks for future international missions of human exploration.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.A1.3.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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