Today the National Space Council released the National Strategy for Planetary Protection. This strategy will advance the nation’s role in sustainable space exploration by appropriately protecting other planetary bodies and Earth from potentially harmful biological contamination from space exploration activities.
Planetary protection refers to the policy and practice of protecting scientific research by limiting biological contamination of other planetary bodies and protecting the Earth’s biosphere by avoiding harmful biological contamination by returning spacecraft. This national strategy balances US interests in advancing scientific discovery, human exploration and the growth of private sector space activities, all with due regard to public security and applicable domestic and international obligations.
As the United States remains at the forefront of space exploration and commercialization, national policies must keep pace to accelerate our world-class commercial space industry and scientific enterprise, while appropriately avoiding biological contamination.
Planetary protection against “forward contamination” ensures the validity of potential scientific discoveries in the quest for extraterrestrial life.
Planetary protection against “backward contamination” 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 2020 National Space Policy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to guide U.S. departments and agencies in the development of operational guidelines for planetary protection.
Achieving the goals of the Strategy will ensure a coherent national effort that balances scientific discovery, human exploration and commercial activity in space, while meeting applicable international and domestic 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 taking into account commercial and international partners will ensure space security, sustainability and predictability for the benefit of all humanity.
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., released 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 targets for the direction’s implementation. of the 2020 National Space Policy on planetary protection, this strategy continues America’s leadership in scientific discovery, human exploration and private-sector space activities. ”
Kelvin Droegemeier, Ph.D., said: “The United States has made tremendous strides in space exploration and with this major advance comes a responsibility to protect the Earth and other planetary bodies from biological contamination. This strategy supports the values. of our nation, fosters scientific discoveries in space, and supports private sector activities with sustainable and secure means. I am grateful for the work of the Trump administration to advance US leadership in space. “
– factsheet on the National Strategy for Planetary Protection.
– text of the National Strategy for Planetary Protection.
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