Scientists have long known that fungi are resilient, but a new study suggests that some strains might survive every step of the long, brutal trip to Mars.
contamination
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Seminar: The Rare Microbiome, Contamination and Planetary Protection
Pushing back the detection limits, technological advances are now allowing the detection and analysis of very low content DNA samples. A so far unseen diversity of microbes emerges sometimes filling […]
Posted inLife Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Space Life Science, Space Physiology & Medicine, Space Stations, Status Report
A Next Generation Space Antimicrobial: Assessing Microbial Activity And Reduction Across The ISS
Microbial contamination in spacecraft poses a threat to crew health and operational integrity. Currently, microbial reduction aboard the International Space Station (ISS) relies on rigorous cleaning, which is time-consuming for […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Rethinking Planetary Protection: An Island Biogeographical Analysis
We reconsider the problem of planetary protection using, by the analogy of planets as islands, the theory of island biogeography.
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Life Support Systems, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Status Update Of NASA’s Assessment Of The Biological Contamination Threat Of Crewed Mars Surface Missions
As we prepare for a future first mission to Mars with a human crew, the United States, under the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, has an obligation to protect against […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
An Airlock Concept To Reduce Contamination Risks During The Human Exploration Of Mars
Protecting the Martian environment from contamination with terrestrial microbes is generally seen as essential to the scientific exploration of Mars, especially when it comes to the search for indigenous life.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Sample Return, Societal Issues, Space Life Science, Status Report
Design, Development, And Operation Of An ISO Class 5 Cleanroom For Planetary Instrumentation And Planetary Protection Protocols
Cleanrooms are controlled environments where the number of airborne particles is reduced to a level defined by an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard. These facilities have applications in different […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Conferences and Meetings, Exploration Gear & Tech, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Virtual Workshop: Planetary Protection In Advance of Human Missions
The Science Mission Directorate is facilitating a series of workshops aimed at discussing the priority science goals and Planetary Protection knowledge gaps that NASA should address in advance of human […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Sample Return Contamination? Soluble Organic Compounds and Cyanide in Apollo 17 Lunar Samples: Origins and Curation Effects
We analyzed twelve Apollo 17 samples through the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program to determine the abundances of a variety of compound classes, including amino acids, aldehydes, ketones, […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
EVA Swab Tool to Support Planetary Protection and Astrobiology Evaluations
When we send humans to search for life on other planets, we’ll need to know what we brought with us versus what may already be there.