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 […]
planetary protection
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Report: Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes
Protecting Earth’s environment and other solar system bodies from harmful contamination has been an important principle throughout the history of space exploration. For decades, the scientific, political, and economic conditions […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Report: Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes
The current process for planetary protection policy development is inadequate to respond to increasingly complex solar system exploration missions, says a new report. The report “Review and Assessment of Planetary […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Hardy Organisms Threaten Interplanetary Contamination
In professor George Fox’s lab at the University of Houston, scientists are studying Earth germs that could be contaminating other planets. Despite extreme decontamination efforts, bacterial spores from Earth still […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection: Interim Report (2017)
Description: Solar system exploration is in an extraordinary state of expansion. Scientific capabilities to search for evidence of extant or relic life outside Earth–among the principal goals of solar system […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection: Interim Report
In this time of rapid transition in exploring solar system bodies, the importance of reexamining planetary protection policies, including the need for clarity in how NASA establishes such policies, has […]
Posted inMars, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Planetary Protection For Human Missions to Mars
Since the dawn of space travel, nations from around the world have shown a commitment to protecting objects in the Solar System from contamination carried from the Earth and into […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Book, Film, Video Reviews, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Plant Biology, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Science Fiction
Film Review: “The Martian”
The Martian is a really good movie. It would be a good movie even if it was not set in outer space. But it does happen in space and does […]
Posted inMars, Planetary Protection & Biosafety
Planetary Protection and ExoMars Payload Integration
Like surgeons in an operating room, the technicians work gowned and masked in ESA’s ultraclean microbiology laboratory, ensuring a high-tech sensor will not contaminate the Red Planet with terrestrial microbes. […]
Posted inPlanetary Protection & Biosafety
NASA HQ Vacancy: Planetary Protection Officer
NASA has posted a position in the Science Mission Directorate for the Planetary Protection Officer. It has a very short response time, with applications due by June 25, 2014. NOTE: […]