The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection: Interim Report (2017)
Chapter: 6 Concluding Remarks
6
Concluding Remarks
The twin goals of planetary protection and the rationales supporting them remain largely as they have been defined for decades. The control of forward and back contamination enables humanity to protect Earth, to protect other solar system bodies from terrestrial biological contamination that could compromise scientific investigations relative to extant or extinct life, and to safeguard scientific investigations of other solar system bodies. Safeguarding the science involves a balance of considerations about science, risk, cost, engineering practice, strategic management, and other factors. In its final report, the committee will address its full charge, including assessment of current planetary protection policy processes and their transparency and will make recommendations for improvements to meet future needs.
