Title

Appropriate protection of Mars.

Authors

Conley, Catharine A.; Rummel, John D.

Abstract

The authors discuss the planetary protection policy and guidelines maintained by the U.S. Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). They argue that efforts to reduce spacecraft contamination are already continuously examined in light of the latest science, represent the consensus of the international scientific community, and are essential for any valid plan to search for any extant or extinct life on Mars.

Subjects

ORIGIN of life; GUIDELINES; ORIGIN of planets; POLLUTION prevention; MARS (Planet)

Publication

Nature Geoscience, 2013, Vol 6, Issue 8, p587

ISSN

1752-0894

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1038/ngeo1908