The study conducted the following tasks:
1. Assess the surface and atmospheric environments of Venus with respect
to their ability to support Earth-origin microbial contamination, and recommend
measures, if any, that should be taken to prevent the forward contamination of
Venus by future spacecraft missions;
2. Provide recommendations related to planetary-protection issues
associated with the return to Earth of samples from Venus; and
3. Identify scientific investigations that may be required to reduce
uncertainty in the above assessments.
The study was sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Click here to read the report.
Committee Membership:
Dr. Jack W. Szostak - (Chair)
Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Ruth Blake
Yale University Dr. Michael J. Daly
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Dr. David H. Grinspoon
Southwest Research Institute Dr. Anthony Keefe
Archemix Corporation Dr. Gary J. Olsen
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Staff: Robert Riemer, Study Director
Space Studies Board | 
