Committee on Planetary Protection's Books

Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

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Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

Protecting Earth's environment and other solar system bodies from harmful contamination has been an important principle throughout the history of space exploration. For decades, the scientific, political, and economic conditions of space exploration converged in ways that contributed to effective development and implementation of planetary protection policies at national and international levels. However, the future of space exploration faces serious challenges to the development and implementation of planetary protection policy. The most disruptive changes are associated with (1) sample return from, and human missions to, Mars; and (2) missions to those bodies in the outer solar system possessing water oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes addresses the implications of changes in the complexion of solar system exploration as they apply to the process of developing planetary protection policy. Specifically, this report examines the history of planetary protection policy, assesses the current policy development process, and recommends actions to improve the policy development process in the future.

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139

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309478650

ISBN 13

9780309478656

Report Series: Committee on Planetary Protection

Planetary Protection for the Study of Lunar Volatiles

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Board on Life Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection

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Report Series: Committee on Planetary Protection

Planetary Protection for the Study of Lunar Volatiles

Under U.S. policy and international treaty, the goals of planetary protection are to avoid both adverse changes in Earthâ€™s environment caused by introducing extraterrestrial matter and harmful contamination of solar system bodies in order to protect their biological integrity for scientific study. The United States has long cooperated with other countries and relevant scientific communities through the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council for Science in developing planetary protection guidance for different categories of space missions. In the past, achieving planetary protection objectives through science-based, international-consensus guidelines proved relatively straightforward because a small number of spacefaring nations explored the solar system, predominantly through government-led and scientifically focused robotic missions. However, interest in, and the capabilities to undertake, exploration and uses of outer space are evolving and expanding. More countries are engaging in space activities. Private-sector involvement is increasing. Planning is under way for human as well as robotic missions. As recent advisory reports have highlighted, the changes in the nature of space activities create unprecedented challenges for planetary protection. This publication responds to NASAâ€™s request for â€œa short report on the impact of human activities on lunar polar volatiles (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, and methane) and the scientific value of protecting the surface and subsurface regions of the Earthâ€™s Moon from organic and biological contamination.â€ It provides an overview of the current scientific understanding, value, and potential threat of organic and biological contamination of permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), lunar research relevant to understanding prebiotic evolution and the origin of life, and the likelihood that spacecraft landing on the lunar surface will transfer volatiles to polar cold traps. It also assesses how much and which regions of the Moonâ€™s surface and subsurface warrant protection from organic and biological contamination because of their scientific value.

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309162009

ISBN 13

9780309162005

The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection

Interim Report

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee to Review the Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

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The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection

Interim Report

Solar system exploration is in an extraordinary state of expansion. Scientific capabilities to search for evidence of extant or relic life outside Earthâ€"among the principal goals of solar system explorationâ€"are advancing rapidly. In this time of rapid transition in exploring solar system bodies, the importance of reexamining planetary protection policies, including the need for clarity in how NASA establishes such policies, has become more urgent. Overall, this study seeks to review the current state of planetary protection policy development, assess the responsiveness of the policy development process to contemporary and anticipated needs, and recommend actions that might assure the effectiveness of NASA's future coordination and execution of planetary protection. This interim report focuses on the goals of and rationales for planetary protection policies and suggests a working definition of planetary protection consistent with those goals. It does not address future commercial planetary missions, human missions to planetary bodies, or roles and responsibilities for implementing policies, but these issues will be addressed in the final report.

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309461626

ISBN 13

9780309461627

Assessment of the Report of NASA's Planetary Protection Independent Review Board

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee to Review the Report of the NASA Planetary Protection Independent Review Board

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Assessment of the Report of NASA's Planetary Protection Independent Review Board

The goal of planetary protection is to control, to the degree possible, the biological cross-contamination of planetary bodies. Guidelines developed by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) are used by all spacefaring nations to guide their preparations for encounters with solar system bodies. NASA's Science Mission Directorate has convened the Planetary Protection Independent Review Board (PPIRB) to consider updating the COSPAR guidelines given the growing interest from commercial and private groups in exploration and utilization of Mars and other bodies in space. At the request of NASA, this publication reviews the findings of the PPIRB and comments on their consistency with the recommendations of the recent National Academies report Review and Assessment of the Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes.

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ISBN 10

0309676525

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9780309676526

Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

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Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy Development Processes

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139

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309478650

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9780309478656

Report Series: Committee on Planetary Protection

Planetary Protection for the Study of Lunar Volatiles

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Report Series: Committee on Planetary Protection

Planetary Protection for the Study of Lunar Volatiles

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ISBN 10

0309162009

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9780309162005

Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Spacecraft Missions to Icy Solar System Bodies

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection Standards for Icy Bodies in the Outer Solar System

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Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Spacecraft Missions to Icy Solar System Bodies

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection Standards for Icy Bodies in the Outer Solar System

NASA's exploration of planets and satellites during the past 50 years has led to the discovery of traces of water ice throughout the solar system and prospects for large liquid water reservoirs beneath the frozen ICE shells of multiple satellites of the giant planets of the outer solar system. During the coming decades, NASA and other space agencies will send flybys, orbiters, subsurface probes, and, possibly, landers to these distant worlds in order to explore their geologic and chemical context. Because of their potential to harbor alien life, NASA will select missions that target the most habitable outer solar system objects. This strategy poses formidable challenges for mission planners who must balance the opportunity for exploration with the risk of contamination by Earth's microbes, which could confuse the interpretation of data obtained from these objects. The 2000 NRC report Preventing the Forward Contamination of Europa provided a criterion that was adopted with prior recommendations from the Committee on Space Research of the International Council for Science. This current NRC report revisits and extends the findings and recommendations of the 2000 Europa report in light of recent advances in planetary and life sciences and, among other tasks, assesses the risk of contamination of icy bodies in the solar system.

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309256755

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9780309256759

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons

By: European Science Foundation,European Space Sciences Committee,National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection Requirements for Sample Return Missions from Martian Moons

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Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons

An international consensus policy to prevent the biological cross-contamination of planetary bodies exists and is maintained by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council for Science, which is consultative to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Currently, COSPAR's planetary protection policy does not specify the status of sample-return missions from Phobos or Deimos, the moons of Mars. Although the moons themselves are not considered potential habitats for life or of intrinsic relevance to prebiotic chemical evolution, recent studies indicate that a significant amount of material recently ejected from Mars could be present on the surface of Phobos and, to a lesser extent, Deimos. This report reviews recent theoretical, experimental, and modeling research on the environments and physical conditions encountered by Mars ejecta during certain processes. It recommends whether missions returning samples from Phobos and/or Deimos should be classified as "restricted" or "unrestricted" Earth return in the framework of the planetary protection policy maintained by COSPAR. This report also considers the specific ways the classification of sample return from Deimos is a different case than sample return from Phobos.

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309488621

ISBN 13

9780309488624

The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection

Interim Report

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The Goals, Rationales, and Definition of Planetary Protection

Interim Report

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0309461626

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9780309461627

Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

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Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

NASA maintains a planetary protection policy to avoid the forward biological contamination of other worlds by terrestrial organisms, and back biological contamination of Earth from the return of extraterrestrial materials by spaceflight missions. Forward-contamination issues related to Mars missions were addressed in a 2006 National Research Council (NRC) book, Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars. However, it has been more than 10 years since back-contamination issues were last examined. Driven by a renewed interest in Mars sample return missions, this book reviews, updates, and replaces the planetary protection conclusions and recommendations contained in the NRC's 1997 report Mars Sample Return: Issues and Recommendations. The specific issues addressed in this book include the following: The potential for living entities to be included in samples returned from Mars; Scientific investigations that should be conducted to reduce uncertainty in the above assessment; The potential for large-scale effects on Earth's environment by any returned entity released to the environment; Criteria for intentional sample release, taking note of current and anticipated regulatory frameworks; and The status of technological measures that could be taken on a mission to prevent the inadvertent release of a returned sample into Earth's biosphere.

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309130735

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9780309130738

Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Spacecraft Missions to Icy Solar System Bodies

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection Standards for Icy Bodies in the Outer Solar System

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Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Spacecraft Missions to Icy Solar System Bodies

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Planetary Protection Standards for Icy Bodies in the Outer Solar System

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0309256755

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9780309256759

Review of the MEPAG Report on Mars Special Regions

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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.

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309379040

ISBN 13

9780309379045

Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

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Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

Recent spacecraft and robotic probes to Mars have yielded data that are changing our understanding significantly about the possibility of existing or past life on that planet. Coupled with advances in biology and life-detection techniques, these developments place increasing importance on the need to protect Mars from contamination by Earth-borne organisms. To help with this effort, NASA requested that the NRC examine existing planetary protection measures for Mars and recommend changes and further research to improve such measures. This report discusses policies, requirements, and techniques to protect Mars from organisms originating on Earth that could interfere with scientific investigations. It provides recommendations on cleanliness and biological burden levels of Mars-bound spacecraft, methods to reach those levels, and research to reduce uncertainties in preventing forward contamination of Mars.

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166

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

030909724X

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9780309097246

An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe

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An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe

Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. It is an inherently interdisciplinary field that encompasses astronomy, biology, geology, heliophysics, and planetary science, including complementary laboratory activities and field studies conducted in a wide range of terrestrial environments. Combining inherent scientific interest and public appeal, the search for life in the solar system and beyond provides a scientific rationale for many current and future activities carried out by the National Aeronautics and Science Administration (NASA) and other national and international agencies and organizations. Requested by NASA, this study offers a science strategy for astrobiology that outlines key scientific questions, identifies the most promising research in the field, and indicates the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. This report makes recommendations for advancing the research, obtaining the measurements, and realizing NASA's goal to search for signs of life in the universe.

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189

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309484162

ISBN 13

9780309484169

Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments

Environmental and Scientific Stewardship

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Polar Research Board,Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments

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Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments

Environmental and Scientific Stewardship

By: National Research Council,Division on Earth and Life Studies,Polar Research Board,Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments

Antarctica is renowned for its extreme cold; yet surprisingly, radar measurements have revealed a vast network of lakes, rivers, and streams several kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Sealed from Earth's atmosphere for millions of years, they may provide vital information about microbial evolution, the past climate of the Antarctic, and the formation of ice sheets, among other things. The next stage of exploration requires direct sampling of these aquatic systems. However, if sampling is not done cautiously, the environmental integrity and scientific value of these environments could be compromised. At the request of the National Science Foundation, this National Research Council assesses what is needed to responsibly explore subglacial lakes. Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments concludes that it is time for research on subglacial lakes to begin, and this research should be guided by internationally agreed upon protocols. The book suggests an initial protocol, which includes full characterization of the lakes by remote sensing, and minimum standards for biological and other types of contamination.

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162

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309106354

ISBN 13

9780309106351

NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities

Restoring NASA's Technological Edge and Paving the Way for a New Era in Space

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board,Steering Committee for NASA Technology Roadmaps

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NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities

Restoring NASA's Technological Edge and Paving the Way for a New Era in Space

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board,Steering Committee for NASA Technology Roadmaps

NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) has begun to rebuild the advanced space technology program in the agency with plans laid out in 14 draft technology roadmaps. It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development and its technology base has been largely depleted. However, success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced technology developments that should already be underway. Reaching out to involve the external technical community, the National Research Council (NRC) considered the 14 draft technology roadmaps prepared by OCT and ranked the top technical challenges and highest priority technologies that NASA should emphasize in the next 5 years. This report provides specific guidance and recommendations on how the effectiveness of the technology development program managed by OCT can be enhanced in the face of scarce resources.

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376

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309253624

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9780309253628

Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

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Assessment of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample Return Missions

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309130735

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9780309130738

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons

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Planetary Protection Classification of Sample Return Missions from the Martian Moons

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

0309488591

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9780309488594

Planetary Protection Classification of Sample-Return Missions from the Martian Moons

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). Committee on Planetary Protection Requirements for Sample Return Missions from Martian Moons

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Planetary Protection Classification of Sample-Return Missions from the Martian Moons

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). Committee on Planetary Protection Requirements for Sample Return Missions from Martian Moons

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ISBN 10

0309488605

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9780309488600

Review of the Restructured Research and Analysis Programs of NASA's Planetary Science Division

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of NASA's Planetary Science Division's Restructured Research and Analysis Program

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Review of the Restructured Research and Analysis Programs of NASA's Planetary Science Division

The Research and Analysis (R&A) program managed by NASA's Planetary Science Division (PSD), supports a broad range of planetary science activities, including the analysis of data from past and current spacecraft; laboratory research; theoretical, modeling, and computational studies; geological and astrobiological fieldwork in planetary analog environments on Earth; geological mapping of planetary bodies; analysis of data from Earth- and space-based telescopes; and development of flight instruments and technology needed for future planetary science missions. The primary role of the PSD R&A program is to address NASA's strategic objective for planetary science and PSD's science goals. Recently, PSD reorganized the R&A program to provide better alignment with the strategic goals for planetary sciences. The major changes in the R&A program involved consolidating a number of prior program elements, many of which were organized by subdiscipline, into a smaller number of thematic core research program elements. Despite numerous efforts by PSD to communicate the rationale for the reorganization and articulate clearly the new processes, there has been significant resistance from the planetary science community and concerns in some sectors regarding the major realignment of funding priorities. Review of NASA's Planetary Science Division's Restructured Research and Analysis Programs examines the new R&A program and determines if it appropriately aligns with the agency's strategic goals, supports existing flight programs, and enables future missions. This report explores whether any specific research areas or subdisciplinary groups that are critical to NASA's strategic objectives for planetary science and PSD's science goals are not supported appropriately in the current program or have been inadvertently disenfranchised through the reorganization.

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Published Date

ISBN 10

0309458730

ISBN 13

9780309458733

Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

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Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Preventing the Forward Contamination of Mars

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166

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National Academies Press

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ISBN 10

030909724X

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9780309097246

Visions into Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022

A Midterm Review

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on the Review of Progress Toward Implementing the Decadal Survey Vision and Voyages for Planetary Sciences

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Visions into Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022

A Midterm Review

In spring 2011 the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine produced a report outlining the next decade in planetary sciences. That report, titled Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022, and popularly referred to as the "decadal survey," has provided high-level prioritization and guidance for NASA's Planetary Science Division. Other considerations, such as budget realities, congressional language in authorization and appropriations bills, administration requirements, and cross-division and cross-directorate requirements (notably in retiring risk or providing needed information for the human program) are also necessary inputs to how NASA develops its planetary science program. In 2016 NASA asked the National Academies to undertake a study assessing NASA's progress at meeting the objectives of the decadal survey. After the study was underway, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 which called for NASA to engage the National Academies in a review of NASA's Mars Exploration Program. NASA and the Academies agreed to incorporate that review into the midterm study. That study has produced this report, which serves as a midterm assessment and provides guidance on achieving the goals in the remaining years covered by the decadal survey as well as preparing for the next decadal survey, currently scheduled to begin in 2020.

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155

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309479363

ISBN 13

9780309479363

Grading NASA's Solar System Exploration Program

A Midterm Report

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Assessing the Solar System Exploration Program

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Grading NASA's Solar System Exploration Program

A Midterm Report

By: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Committee on Assessing the Solar System Exploration Program

The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 directed the agency to ask the NRC to assess the performance of each division in the NASA Science directorate at five-year intervals. In this connection, NASA requested the NRC to review the progress the Planetary Exploration Division has made in implementing recommendations from previous, relevant NRC studies. This book provides an assessment of NASA's progress in fulfilling those recommendations including an evaluation how well it is doing and of current trends. The book covers key science questions, flight missions, Mars exploration, research and analysis, and enabling technologies. Recommendations are provided for those areas in particular need of improvement.

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100

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National Academies Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0309114926

ISBN 13

9780309114929

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