This illustration shows a concept of how the NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle, which contains tubes containing rock and soil samples, could be launched from the surface of Mars in a step of the Mars sample return mission. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech
The national planetary protection strategy reflects the critical importance of planetary protection for the future of space science, exploration and life on earth. Planetary protection refers to the policy and practice of protecting future scientific investigations by limiting biological contamination of other planetary bodies by exploration activities and protecting the Earth’s biosphere by avoiding harmful biological pollution by returning spacecraft.
The mitigation of the risk of harmful biological contamination of the Earth (called “backward pollution”) and other planetary bodies (called “forward pollution”) supports a safe, sustainable and predictable Earth and space environment. New missions to the moon, March, and other destinations are in progress or are being considered by NASA, other national space programs from around the world and the private sector. While samples from Earth’s Moon are considered harmless and their return to Earth since 1971 is unlimited, both public and private entities are considering missions that will collect and return samples from other planetary bodies that have not been so thoroughly studied.
By looking at the emergence of new efforts to explore and use the solar system, this strategy provides guidance to address the diverse challenges and address the potential risk of biological pollution associated with space exploration. Consequently, this strategy balances the interests of the United States in promoting scientific discovery, human exploration, and the growth of space activities in the private sector, all taking into account public safety and applicable obligations. The United States intends to remain a leader in the development of internationally accepted policies and practices regarding planetary protection.
The National Strategy for Planetary Protection is an important step in the implementation of the National Space Policy for 2020; specifically “the development of national and international guidelines for planetary protection, together with scientific and commercial partners, for the appropriate protection of planetary bodies and the earth against harmful biological contamination.” Continued implementation of this Directive requires updating the roles of the U.S. Department and Agency and responsibilities, providing authorization and continued oversight of private space activities, maintaining international leadership, and encouraging the development of innovative technologies and processes that reduce the costs of lower planetary protection.
The strategy contains three overarching goals that are consistent with forward pollution, backward pollution and private sector coordination:
Objective 1: Avoid harmful forward pollution by developing and implementing risk assessment and science-based guidelines and updating the interagency payload process.
Objective 2: Avoid backward pollution by developing a limited return program to protect against adverse effects on the Earth environment due to the possible return of extraterrestrial life.
Objective 3: Take the perspective and needs of the private sector by asking for feedback and developing guidelines regarding activities in the private sector with potential implications for the protection of the planet.
Efforts to achieve these objectives and to develop the National Planet Protection Action Plan will be coordinated by the Office of Scientific and Technological Policy (OSTP) and the staff of the National Space Council (NSpC), in close cooperation with relevant federal departments and agencies, to continue assure US leadership in safe and responsible scientific discovery, reconnaissance of people and space activities in the private sector.
Reference: “National Strategy for Planetary Protection” by The White House National Space Council, December 2020.
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