HR: 10:40h
AN: B51G-02    [PDF]
TI: Planetary Protection: A Major Challenge in the Exploration of Life in the Solar System
AU: * Rummel, J D
EM: jrummel@hq.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Headquarters, Office of Space Science - Code S, Washington, DC 20546 United States
AB: The picture of Mars that is now emerging from the Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey results stands in marked contrast from that portrayed shortly after the Viking missions of the mid-1970s. The abundance of water ice seen both in the polar caps themselves, and in lower latitudes outside of the polar regions is particularly intriguing, and adds to the heightened consideration Mars as a planet that might support life--either Mars life or life brought from Earth. Elsewhere in the Solar System the situation also intrigues those looking for habitable niches. The tides of Europa are thought to keep its icy shell melted, thus providing ample liquid water in an ocean that may be on the order of 100 km deep. Other icy bodies may also be as interesting, whether they orbit Jupiter or are found around Saturn or the other outer planets. The intriguing nature of these bodies, and their potential niches for life, highlight the problems involved with possible biological contamination that may be carried by future missions, and its possible effects. A particular challenge are missions carrying perennial heat sources of high capacity and longevity (e.g., Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) which could, by non-nominal landings or other mission operations, be introduced to close contact with water ice--potentially forming Earthlike environments that could accommodate the growth of contaminant organisms. Maintaining the cleanliness of solar system bodies from biological growth is of critical importance to the future success of NASA's science and exploration missions, as is protecting the Earth from the importation of life from elsewhere, if it exists. Recently, the ICSU Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) has published an international consensus planetary protection policy that provides a standard to address the prevention of biological contamination in sensitive areas on Mars, and in the Jovian moons.. Furthermore, as our array of missions grow, new data will drive future planetary protection concerns. A framework for assessing required contamination control measures must be developed.
DE: 0400 Biogeosciences
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting