Planetary protection and the search for life beneath the surface of Mars.
Adv Space Res
; 31(1): 103-7, 2003.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12577965
ABSTRACT
The search for traces of extinct and extant life on Mars will be extended to beneath the surface of the planet. Current data from Mars missions suggesting the presence of liquid water early in Mars' history and mathematical modeling of the fate of water on Mars imply that liquid water may exist deep beneath the surface of Mars. This leads to the hypothesis that life may exist deep beneath the Martian surface. One possible scenario to look for life on Mars involves a series of unmanned missions culminating with a manned mission drilling deep into the Martian subsurface (approximately 3Km), collecting samples, and conducting preliminary analyses to select samples for return to earth. This mission must address both forward and back contamination issues, and falls under planetary protection category V. Planetary protection issues to be addressed include provisions stating that the inevitable deposition of earth microbes by humans should be minimized and localized, and that earth microbes and organic material must not contaminate the Martian subsurface. This requires that the drilling equipment be sterilized prior to use. Further, the collection, containment and retrieval of the sample must be conducted such that the crew is protected and that any materials returning to earth are contained (i.e., physically and biologically isolated) and the chain of connection with Mars is broken.
Palavras-chave
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Voo Espacial
/
Marte
/
Exobiologia
/
Contenção de Riscos Biológicos
/
Meio Ambiente Extraterreno
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Adv Space Res
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA AEROESPACIAL
Ano de publicação:
2003
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos