Astronauts Testing New Planet Protection Kit

Space Shuttle Discovery delivered the final set of solar arrays to complete the station’s electricity-generating system. Prior to and following their Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) to install them, veteran Steve Swanson and first-timer Richard Arnold had their gloves swabbed and tested for microbes.

For these early trials, the LOCAD tools are only useful inside crafts, and on the ground prior to launch, or after landing, to conduct comparisons. Tests planned over the next few years however, will include swabs designed to be used outside the spacecraft as well.

Future explorers will need to monitor any possible biological stowaways, because contamination between celestial bodies like Earth and Mars cannot be taken lightly. Such duties in airlocks of all kinds of spacecrafts will be functionally – and legally – mandatory.

Article 9 of the Outer Space Treaty (as signed by 62 nations in 1967) requires that "Parties to the Treaty shall pursue studies of outer space… and conduct exploration of them so as to avoid their harmful contamination and also adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter..."

In other words, every care must be taken to prevent cross-contamination of microorganisms. NASA initially quarantined Apollo astronauts upon their return to Earth, due to worries about deadly germs, but by Apollo 15 it was clear the moon was entirely lifeless. Even then, they took great care in sealing and storing incoming rock samples.

All active space programs in the US, Asia, Europe and Russia routinely sterilize crafts prior to launch. It is not known whether the recently discovered methane on planet Mars indicates microbial life, but the US and Russia are already planning meticulous protection practices for future visits, and ensuing samples.

Humans are constantly shedding organic molecules, which can conceivably travel on their suits, tools, airlock outflow; vents in the spacecraft, and even on the craft surface itself. When we project a scenario where travelers acquire geological samples from Mars, space travelers must ensure they do not taint their destination with bacterial life during their sampling activities. They must also ensure they don’t accidentally bring anything potentially hazardous back to Earth.

LOCAD-PTS is funded by NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Moon and Mars Analog Mission Activities (MMAMA) Program.

References:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/20mar_locadexploration.htm?list1295054
http://locad.nasa.gov/