7. Forward Planetary Protection
2005: IVA-4
2010: 2E
Priority: Medium
(2010 Version)
2E. Investigation. Determine the martian environmental niches that would meet the definition (as it is maintained by COSPAR) of “special region*”. It is necessary to consider both naturally occurring special regions, and those that might be induced by the (human-related) missions envisioned. Evaluate the vulnerability of any special regions identified to terrestrial biological contamination, and the rates and scales of the martian processes that would allow for the potential transport of viable terrestrial organisms to these special regions.
The measurements described in Investigation 2E relate to characterizing “Special Regions” on the Martian surface, either extant or possibly induced by a human mission. One of the major mission objectives of the human mission is to determine if and how life arose naturally on Mars. Therefore data that contributes to the understanding of the location of extant Special Regions where Martian life could exist would be considered of the highest priority (mission enabling). This mission objective could be compromised, however, by inducing a Special Region through the engineering aspects and biological inputs innate to a human mission. The extent of this potential compromise requires data from the measurements described in this Investigation. Since the impact of data from this investigation on mission design would help meet this important mission objective, the impact is rated high (mission enabling) and the impact of the Investigation on risk reduction is rated low (Loss of Major Mission Objective), for a combined priority rating of medium.
Measurements:
- Map the distribution of naturally occurring surface special regions as defined by COSPAR (see note below). One key investigation strategy is change detection.
- Characterize the survivability at the Martian surface of terrestrial organisms that might be delivered as part of a human landed campaign, including their response to oxidation, desiccation, and radiation.
- Map the distribution of trace gases, as an important clue to the potential distribution and character of subsurface special regions that cannot be directly observed either from the surface or from orbit.
- Determine the distribution of near-surface ice that could become an induced special region via a human mission. Orbital and landed measurements may be required to characterize such properties as thermal conductivity, structure, composition (soil probes, heat flow, electromagnetics, GPR).
*Note: A Special Region is defined as “a region within which
terrestrial organisms are likely to propagate, or a region which is interpreted
to have a high potential for the existence of extant Martian life. As of 2010,
no Special Regions had definitively been identified, however as of this
writing, HiRISE has only covered 1% of the Martian surface. It is presumed that
the policy of protecting special regions from terrestrial contamination would
continue into the era of human
exploration.
Additional Information:
In the
previous Goal IV document, a series of terrestrial based activities were
proposed to meet theinvestigation objectives. As an example, it was suggested
that modeling experiments involving thermodynamics and geologic principles be
applied to determine how organic material communicates from the surface into the
subsurface. To remain consistent with other sections of this document, which
only suggest measurements that would affect future flight opportunities to Mars,
all of these previous suggestions have been removed in the 2010 Goal IV
Objective A4 details.
Source:
MEPAG Goal IV Science Analysis Group
(2010). “IV. Goal: Prepare for Human Exploration.”
Proposed
replacement text for MEPAG (2008), Mars Scientific Goals, Objectives,
Investigations, and Priorities. Submitted 2 August 2010.
