The search for both extant and extinct life within our Solar System and beyond has been a primary motivation for space exploration since its inception.
COSPAR
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report, Titan
Planetary Protection For Sustainable Space Exploration – Philosophical Transactions A Theme Issue: (open access)
Royal Society Publishing has recently published an OPEN ACCESS theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A: Planetary Protection for sustainable space exploration compiled and edited by Karen Olsson-Francis, Athena Coustenis, Peter […]
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
COSPAR Sample Safety Assessment Framework (SSAF)
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Sample Safety Assessment Framework (SSAF) has been developed by a COSPAR appointed Working Group.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Planetary Protection Knowledge Gap Closure Enabling Crewed Missions to Mars
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development of crewed missions, it remains important to protect the integrity of scientific investigations at Mars, as well […]
Posted inMars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
The COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy For Robotic Missions To Mars: A Review Of Current Scientific Knowledge And Future Perspectives
Planetary protection guidance for martian exploration has become a notable point of discussion over the last decade.
Posted inMars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return
The Chances Of Anything Coming From Mars
Within the next decade, space agencies plan to bring samples of rock from Mars to Earth for study. Of concern is the possibility these samples contain life, which could have […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Policy, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy for Missions to Icy Worlds: A Review of History, Current Scientific Knowledge, And Future Directions
Recent discoveries related to the habitability and astrobiological relevance of the outer Solar System have expanded our understanding of where and how life may have originated. As a result, the […]
Posted inMicrobiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Policy, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report
Planetary Protection: Updates And Challenges For A Sustainable Space Exploration
Planetary protection enables scientific return from solar system bodies investigations and at the same time protects life on Earth.
Posted inMissions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Societal Issues
Planetary Protection: Preventing Interplanetary Pollution That Could Pose A Threat To Life On Earth And Other Planets
Formulating policies for planetary protection issues and keeping them up-to-date is the responsibility of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) panel on planetary protection. In an article in Frontiers in […]
Posted inMissions & Hardware, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Policy, Sample Return, Status Report
NASA Policy Instruction NASA Policy on Planetary Protection Requirements for Human Extraterrestrial Missions – NPI 8020.7 – NPD 8020.7G
In May 2012, the Planetary Protection Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) Science Committee formulated a recommendation that NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) be developed for planetary protection on human […]