NASA will host a media teleconference at 3:30 p.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 18, to discuss recommendations presented by the Planetary Protection Independent Review Board (PPIRB), established in June 2019 by […]
Planetary Protection & Biosafety
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Deimos, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Microbial Contamination: Sample Return From Mars Moons: The Fate of Microbes on Martian Moons
This paper presents a case study of microbe transportation in the Mars-satellites system. We examined the spatial distribution of potential impact-transported microbes on the Martian moons using impact physics by […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Absolute Prioritization of Planetary Protection, Safety, and Avoiding Imperialism in All Future Science Missions: A Policy Perspective
The prioritization and improvement of ethics, planetary protection, and safety standards in the astro-sciences is the most critical priority as our scientific and exploratory capabilities progress, both within government agencies […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
NASA's New Planetary Protection Board
Following National Academy of Sciences recommendations, advice from the NASA Advisory Council, and subsequent unanimous agreement from NASA’s science leadership, the agency has established an independent Planetary Protection Review Board […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Report: Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis
The United States possesses a treasure-trove of extraterrestrial samples that were returned to Earth via space missions over the past four decades. Analyses of these previously returned samples have led […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
A New Level 3 Biosafety and Astrobiology Laboratory in Pieve a Nievole (PT)
We report our proposal for the establishment of a biocontainment and astrobiology laboratory in a strategic area of Pieve a Nievole (PT) at 28 mt above sea level – to […]
Posted inDeimos, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return
Planetary Protection Classification of Sample-Return Missions from the Martian Moons
This report reviews recent theoretical, experimental, and modeling research on the environments and physical conditions encountered by Mars ejecta during certain processes. It recommends whether missions returning samples from Phobos […]
Posted inMars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving
Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis
NASA’s investment in new instruments to analyze extraterrestrial samples is insufficient to provide for replacement of existing instruments, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and […]
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Space Station Microbes Should Be Monitored To Avoid Threat To Astronaut Health
Strains of the bacterium Enterobacter, similar to newly found opportunistic infectious organisms seen in a few hospital settings, have been identified on the International Space Station (ISS). The strains found […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, People Of Astrobiology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report
Report: An Astrobiology Strategy For The Search For Life In The Universe
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; Space Studies Board; Committee on Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe.