7. Forward Planetary Protection
2005: IVA-4
2010: 2E
Priority: Medium
Investigation: Determine the martian environmental niches that would meet the definition (as it is maintained by COSPAR) of “special region”. It is necessary to consider both naturally occurring special regions, and those that might be induced by the (human-related) missions envisioned. Evaluate the vulnerability of any special regions identified to terrestrial biological contamination, and the rates and scales of the martian processes that would allow for the potential transport of viable terrestrial organisms to these special regions.
Scientists and
engineers work on machinery in clean rooms to minimize contaminants from Earth. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin (http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/14531.jpg)
Forward
Planetary Protection refers to protecting Mars from contamination by Earth
organisms. In order to do this, it is necessary to characterize “special
regions” (areas exhibiting either high likelihood for already-existing life or
high potential for supporting life) on the surface of Mars. One of the main
objectives of a human mission to Mars would be to determine if life exists or
did exist. This objective would be compromised if a craft landed in a special
region. The craft could contaminate existing life, or it could induce life by
inadvertently bringing organisms from Earth. Knowledge of special regions on
Mars would give engineers and mission planners information necessary to develop
strategies to minimize the risk of biological contamination and to preserve the
objective of searching for life on Mars.
Curiosity (MSL) is built in
a clean room to minimize contaminants brought to Mars from Earth. Image
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Click on the links below to view the 2005 and
2010 versions of the investigation.
2005 Version of Investigation (old version)
2010 Version of Investigation (current version)
While there has been active research in this area, it has not been enough to fulfill the objectives for this investigation. The updates in the required measurements were made to keep the section consistent with the rest of the document. The previous required measurements were all terrestrial-based activities that wouldn’t affect future flight opportunities to Mars. The proposed update suggests measurements relevant to locating and analyzing special regions as defined by COSPAR. The following resources give more information on the definition and implications of “special regions”:
- Beaty, D.W., K. Snook, C. C. Allen, D. Eppler, W. M. Farrell, J. Heldmann, P. Metzger, L. Peach, S. A. Wagner, and C. Zeitlin (2005). “An Analysis of the Precursor Measurements of Mars Needed to Reduce the Risk of the First Human Missions to Mars.” Unpublished white paper, 77 p, posted June, 2005 by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html.
- Beaty, D.W., K. L. Buxbaum, M. A. Meyer, N. G. Barlow, W. V. Boynton, B. C. Clark, J. W. Deming, P. T. Doran, K. S. Edgett, S. L. Hancock, J. W. Head, M. H. Hecht, V. Hipkin, T. L. Kieft, R. L. Mancinelli, E. V. McDonald, C. P. McKay, M. T. Mellon, H. Newsom, G. G. Ori, D. A. Paige, A. C. Schuerger, M. L. Sogin, J. A. Spry, A. Steele, K. L. Tanaka, M. A. Voytek (2006). “Findings of the Mars Special Regions Science Analysis Group.” Unpublished white paper, 76 p, posted June 2006 by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html.
