Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons
2019

Consensus

You must be logged in to download this publication.

Select Book Type

Paperback - $49.50
Ebook - $40.49

See project
Request an exam or desk copy

An international consensus policy to prevent the biological cross-contamination of planetary bodies exists and is maintained by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council for Science, which is consultative to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Currently, COSPAR's planetary protection policy does not specify the status of sample-return missions from Phobos or Deimos, the moons of Mars. Although the moons themselves are not considered potential habitats for life or of intrinsic relevance to prebiotic chemical evolution, recent studies indicate that a significant amount of material recently ejected from Mars could be present on the surface of Phobos and, to a lesser extent, Deimos.

This report reviews recent theoretical, experimental, and modeling research on the environments and physical conditions encountered by Mars ejecta during certain processes. It recommends whether missions returning samples from Phobos and/or Deimos should be classified as "restricted" or "unrestricted" Earth return in the framework of the planetary protection policy maintained by COSPAR. This report also considers the specific ways the classification of sample return from Deimos is a different case than sample return from Phobos.

Additional materials

Sponsor Response Letter

Publication information

74 pages · 8.5 x 11 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-48859-1
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-48860-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/25357

Suggested citation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Import this citation to:

Bibtext
EndNote
Reference manager

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Search this publication

Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-5
1 Introduction 6-20
2 Overview and Assessment of the SterLim and JAXA Studies 21-34
3 Responses to the Statement of Task and Recommendations 35-46
Appendixes 47-48
Appendix A: Original Request from NASA 49-50
Appendix B: Revised Request from NASA 51-52
Appendix C: Committee Members and Staff Biographical Information 53-58

Log In

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Email (required)

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons (2019)

Chapter: Appendix A: Original Request from NASA

Additional materials

Publication information

Suggested citation

My Academies

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons (2019)

Chapter: Appendix A: Original Request from NASA