Committee to Review the Mepag Report on Space Studies Board Division on Engineering and Physical S
Planetary protection is a guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission, aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the target celestial body and the Earth. The protection of high-priority science goals, the search for life and the understanding of the Martian organic environment may be compromised if Earth microbes carried by spacecraft are grown and spread on Mars. This has led to the definition of Special Regions on Mars where strict planetary protection measures have to be applied before a spacecraft can enter these areas.
At NASA's request, the...
Planetary protection is a guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission, aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the targ...