Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions

Planetary protection is a guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission, aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the target celestial body and the Earth. The protection of high-priority science goals, the search for life and the understanding of the Martian organic environment may be compromised if Earth microbes carried by spacecraft are grown and spread on Mars. This has led to the definition of Special Regions on Mars where strict planetary protection measures have to be applied before a spacecraft can enter these areas. At NASA's request, the community-based Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) established the Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2) in October 2013 to examine the quantitative definition of a Special Region and proposed modifications to it, as necessary, based upon the latest scientific results. Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions reviews the conclusions and recommendations contained in MEPAG's SR-SAG2 report and assesses their consistency with current understanding of both the Martian environment and the physical and chemical limits for the survival and propagation of microbial and other life on Earth. This report provides recommendations for an update of the planetary protection requirements for Mars Special Regions. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Planetary Protection and Mars Special Regions2 The Assessment of the Potential of Terrestrial Lifeforms to Survive and Proliferate on Mars in the Next 500 Years3 Martian Geological and Mineralogical Features Potentially Related to Special Regions4 Human Spaceflight5 Generalization of Special Regions and the Utility of Maps6 Summary7 Additional ConsiderationsReferencesAppendixesAppendix A: Suggestions for Future ResearchAppendix B: MEPAG SR-SAG2 Findings, Revisions, and UpdatesAppendix C: GlossaryAppendix D: Letter Requesting This StudyAppendix E: Committee and Staff Biographical Information