7. Forward Planetary Protection
2005: IVA-4
2010: 2E
Priority: Medium
(2005 Version)
4. Investigation. Determine the processes by which terrestrial microbial life, or its remains, is dispersed and/or destroyed on Mars (including within ISRU-related water deposits), the rates and scale of these processes, and the potential impact on future scientific investigations.
Measurements:
- Determine the rate of destruction of organic material by the Martian surface environment.
- Determine the mechanisms and rates of Martian surface aeolian processes that disperse organic contaminants.
- Determine the adhesion characteristics of organic contaminants on landed mission elements, and the conditions and rates under which these contaminants are transferred to the Martian environment.
- Determine the mechanisms to transport surface organic contaminants into the Martian subsurface, and in particular, into a Martian aquifer, should such exist.
- Determine if terrestrial microbial life can survive and reproduce in the natural Martian environment.
Source:
MEPAG (2008), Mars Scientific Goals,
Objectives, Investigations, and Priorities: 2008, J.R. Johnson, ed., 37 p. white
paper posted September, 2008 by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group
(MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html.
