Project Scope

This study examineed the results of recent research on extremophiles on Earth and of recent space missions to Mars and will provide a revision of the 1992 guidelines on preventing the forward contamination of Mars. The study committee will address the following tasks: 1) assess and recommend levels of cleanliness and bioload reduction required to prevent the forward contamination of Mars by future spacecraft missions (orbiters, atmospheric missions, landers, penetrators, and drills), given current understanding of the martian environment and of terrestrial microorganisms in extreme environments. The committee's recommendations should take into account the full spectrum of environments on, above, and under present-day Mars, and the various methods that spaceflight missions may use to access them; 2) review methods used to achieve and measure the appropriate level of cleanliness and bioload reduction for Mars spacecraft and recommend alternatives in light of recent advancements in science and technology; and 3) identify scientific investigations that should be accomplished to reduce the uncertainty in the above assessments. This project was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Click here to read the full report. Committee Membership: Dr. Christopher F. Chyba - (Chair) Princeton University Dr. David A. Paige University of California, Los Angeles Dr. Stephen Clifford Lunar and Planetary Institute Dr. Ann Pearson Harvard University Mr. Alan Delamere Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation Dr. John C. Priscu Montana State University Dr. Martin S. Favero Johnson & Johnson Dr. Margaret S. Race SETI Institute Mr. Eric J. Mathur Diversa Corporation Dr. Mitchell Sogin Marine Biological Laboratory Mr. John C. Niehoff Science Applications International Corporation Dr. Cristina Takacs-Vesbach The University of New Mexico Dr. Gian Gabriele Ori Universita d'Annunzio       Staff: Pam Whitney, Study Director Space Studies Board