The National Space Council today released the National Planet Protection Strategy. This strategy will promote the role of the Nation in the sustainable exploration of space by adequately protecting other planetary bodies and the earth from possible harmful biological pollution by activities in space.
Planetary protection refers to the policy and practice of protecting scientific investigations by limiting biological contamination of other planetary bodies and protecting the Earth’s biosphere by avoiding harmful biological pollution by sending spacecraft back. This national strategy balances American interests in promoting scientific discovery, human reconnaissance, and the growth of space activities in the private sector, all taking into account public safety and relevant local and international commitments.
As the United States continues to lead the exploration and commercialization of space, national policies must keep pace with the acceleration of our world-class commercial space sector and scientific enterprise, while avoiding biological contamination in the right way.
Planetary protection against ‘forward pollution’ ensures the validity of potential scientific discoveries in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Planetary protection against ‘backward pollution’ ensures that the Earth’s biosphere is not adversely affected by the return of potentially dangerous microbes.
Highlights of the national planetary protection strategy:
This strategy outlines steps to implement the direction from the 2020 National Space Policy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to guide U.S. departments and agencies in developing operational guidelines for planetary protection.
Achieving the strategy’s objectives will ensure a coherent national effort that balances scientific discovery, exploration of people and commercial activities in space, while meeting relevant international and local commitments.
The United States will continue to lead the sustainable exploration of space by appropriately protecting the Earth and other planetary bodies.
Best practices developed by the United States that take into account commercial and international partners will ensure safety, sustainability and predictability in space for the benefit of all mankind.
Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council Scott Pace, Ph.D., and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Kelvin Droegemeier, Ph.D., made the following statements:
Scott Pace, Ph.D., said: “Current and future missions to Mars and other destinations require a strategy to support a safe, sustainable and predictable Earth and space environment. By setting goals for the implementation of the In the direction of the National Space Policy in 2020 regarding planetary protection, this strategy continues the American leadership in scientific discovery, human exploration and space activities in the private sector. ‘
Kelvin Droegemeier, Ph.D., said: “The United States has made incredible progress in space exploration and with this great progress comes the responsibility to protect the earth and other planetary bodies from biological pollution. This strategy maintains the “We value the values of our people, promote scientific discovery in space, and support private-sector activities in sustainable and safe ways. I am grateful for the Trump administration’s work to advance American leadership in space.”
facts about the National Strategy for Planetary Protection.
text of the National Strategy for Planetary Protection.
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