
Planetary Protection
Planetary Protection is the practice of protecting celestial bodies from contamination by Earth's life forms, and protecting Earth from potential extraterrestrial life forms that may be returned from space missions. The goal of planetary protection is to preserve the pristine nature of celestial bodies and to prevent the spread of potential harmful biological material. Planetary protection measures are implemented in all phases of space missions, including spacecraft assembly, launch, and operations. These measures include sterilization of spacecraft and equipment, and strict protocols for handling and analyzing samples returned from other celestial bodies. Planetary protection is governed by international treaties and guidelines established by organizations such as the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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