Planetary protection for humans in space: Mars and the Moon

Abstract

When searching for life beyond Earth, the unique capabilities provided by human astronauts will only be advantageous if the biological contamination associated with human presence is monitored and minimized. Controlling biological contamination during planetary exploration is termed ‘planetary protection,’ and will be a critical element in the human exploration of other solar system bodies. To ensure the safety and health of the astronauts and the Earth, while preserving science value, planetary protection considerations must be incorporated from the earliest stages of mission planning and development. Issues of concern to planetary protection involve both ‘forward contamination,’ which is the contamination of other solar system bodies by Earth microbes and organic materials, and ‘backward contamination,’ which is the contamination of Earth systems by potential alien life. Forward contamination concerns include contamination that might invalidate current or future scientific exploration of a particular solar system body, and that may disrupt the planetary environment or a potential endogenous (alien) ecosystem. Backward contamination concerns include both immediate and long-term effects on the health of the astronaut explorers from possible biologically active materials encountered during exploration, as well as the possible contamination of the Earth. A number of national and international workshops held over the last seven years have generated a consensus regarding planetary protection policies and requirements for human missions to Mars, and a 2007 workshop held by NASA has considered the issues and benefits to planetary protection that might be offered by a return to the Moon. Conclusions from these workshops recognize that some degree of forward contamination associated with human astronaut explorers is inevitable. Nonetheless, the principles and policies of planetary protection, developed by COSPAR in conformance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, can and should be followed when humans are exploring space. Implementation guidelines include documenting and minimizing contamination of the exploration targets, protection at the most stringent levels for any target locations in which Earth life might grow, protection of humans from exposure to untested planetary materials, and preventing harmful contamination of the Earth as the highest priority for all missions. These considerations should be incorporated in planning for future human exploration missions.