Planetary protection
We’re Constantly Battling Invasive Species Here on Earth. What Does That Teach us About Infecting Other Worlds With Earth Life?
When Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins returned from the Moon in the summer of 1969, they spent three…
How to Prevent our Spacecraft From Contaminating Mars
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences highlights the importance of planetary protection for future missions destined for…
If There’s Subsurface Water Across Mars, Where is it Safe to Land to Avoid Contamination?
If Mars is a potential home for alien life, can we land safely anywhere on the surface without introducing contamination…
Earth Life Probably Can’t Spread to Mars Today
New research says life from Earth isn't likely to ever survive on Mars, which is good news as far as…
A NASA Panel Says We Don’t Need to be so Careful About Infecting Other Worlds
It's time to update the rules. That's the conclusion of a panel that examined NASA's rules for planetary protection. It…
Astronomy Cast Ep. 514: Planetary Protection Protocols
As we send rovers and landers to other worlds, we have to think about the tiny microbial astronauts we're sending…
Seeding the Milky Way with Life Using Genesis Missions
Claudius Gros, the founder of Project Genesis, makes the case that when it comes to extrasolar planets, the rules of…
How Do You Stop A Spacecraft Microbe From Attacking Mars?
When you have a Mars mission that is designed to search for life or life-friendly environments, it would be several…
Curiosity and the Issue of Planetary Protection
Curiosity at Centre of Attention During Testing Image Credit: NASA /JPL - Caltech There have been many reports about the…