Mars sample return : issues and recommendations / Task Group on Issues in Sample Return, Space Studies Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Task Group on Issues in Sample Return.

Series:

Compass series (Washington, D.C.)

The compass series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mars surface samples.

Space vehicles--Contamination.

Space vehicles.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (58 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Space Studies Board of the National Research Council (NRC) serves as the primary adviser to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on planetary protection policy, the purpose of which is to preserve conditions for future biological and organic exploration of planets and other solar system objects and to protect Earth and its biosphere from potential extraterrestrial sources of contamination. In October 1995 the NRC received a letter from NASA requesting that the Space Studies Board examine and provide advice on planetary protection issues related to possible sample-return missions to near-Earth solar system bodies.

Contents:

Front Matter; Preface; Contents; Executive Summary; 1 Introduction; 2 The Possibility of Extant Life on Mars; 3 The Significance of Martian Meteorites; 4 The Potential for Large-Scale Effects; 5 Scientific Investigations That Could Reduce Uncertainty; 6 Evaluation and Characterization of Samples Returned from Mars; 7 The Sample-Receiving Facility; 8 Program Oversight; 9 Technology Issues; References; Appendix Letter of Request

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-43).

ISBN:

9780309174879

0309174872

9780309524476

0309524474

9780585001760

0585001766

OCLC:

940510183