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Planetary protection policy (U.S.A.)Through existing treaty obligations of the United States, NASA is committed to exploring space while avoiding biological contamination of the planets, and to the protection of the earth against harm from materials returned from space. Because of the similarities between Mars and earth, plans for the exploration of Mars evoke discussions of these Planetary Protection issues. U.S. Planetary Protection Policy will be focused on the preservation of these goals in an arena that will change with the growth of scientific knowledge about the Martian environment. Early opportunities to gain the appropriate data will be used to guide later policy implementation. Because human presence on Mars will result in the end of earth's separation from the Martian environment, it is expected that precursor robotic missions will address critical planetary protection concerns before humans arrive.
Document ID
19920038327
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rummel, John D.
(NASA Life Sciences Div. Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 12
Issue: 4, 19
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
92A20951
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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