[Astrobiology (Journal), via PubMed] We present experiments demonstrating that B. subtilis HA101 endospores (henceforth spores) may remain intact after impact by, and subsequent transport on the surfaces of, sand grains.
planetary protection
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics
Metagenomics in Spaceflight: Establishing an Implementation Roadmap
[essopenarchive.org] As space agencies prepare for complex missions such as human exploration of Mars and life detection, Planetary Protection (PP) risk assessments would benefit from extending beyond traditional microbial monitoring […]
Posted inMars
Perseverance Rover Offers Clues to Protect Crews From Mars Dust
[NASA]. By studying tiny particles clinging to spacesuit samples aboard the rover, scientists could help develop better ways to reduce astronauts’ exposure to dust on Mars.
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
M-FORCE Tiger Team Meets To Modernize Planetary Protection
[NASA OSMA] NASA’s new Microbial Forward Contamination Evaluation (M‑FORCE) Tiger Team recently met at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to produce a comprehensive assessment of planetary protection’s forward […]
NASA Curation Community Conversation Webinar
On November 2, 2026, at 2 PM Eastern Time, NASA’s Chief Scientist for Astromaterials Curation within the Science Mission Directorate and NASA’s Astromaterials Curator will host a webinar to discuss […]
Posted inSample Return
NASA Curation Community Conversation Webinar
[NASA] On November 2, 2026, at 2 PM Eastern Time, NASA’s Chief Scientist for Astromaterials Curation within the Science Mission Directorate and NASA’s Astromaterials Curator will host a webinar to […]
Posted inPolicy
Possible News From The Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences Meeting
Editor’s note: The National Academy’s Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences Autumn 2026 Meeting is being held 6-8 October Tuesday – Thursday this week. According to the agenda there are […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
NASA Planetary Protection Handbook
[NASA] This handbook provides guidance to mission providers and Planetary Protection (PP) practitioners on implementing PP measures for both robotic and crewed space missions. This handbook represents major updates to […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
COSPAR Panel On Planetary Protection Endorses Proposed Update To The Mars Planetary Protection Policy
Source: LinkedIn [COSPAR]. Yesterday, 29 September, the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (PPP) at its Executive meeting endorsed a proposed update to the Mars planetary protection policy, following a year-long […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
Planetary Protection Directive From NASA Administrator Isaacman
NASA Team – NASA aims to expand science across every world we visit, and human exploration of Mars in particular offers an enormous opportunity in the near future. Accordingly, our […]