4.1 The history of planetary protection requirements

The history of planetary protection has been intertwined with the development of space exploration.

For example, for the Apollo missions to the Moon, scientists were concerned that: 1) potential lunar microorganisms could comprise the Earth’s biosphere and 2) that microbial contamination from Earth could compromise the integrity of lunar samples returned by astronauts. These concerns led to the development of the mobile quarantine facility (as shown in Figure 23) that could accommodate both the astronauts and the lunar sample receiving facility.

Analysis of the initial lunar samples demonstrated that they contained no biological material, so backward contamination requirements were decreased for Apollo 14 onwards and today, missions to the Moon are currently Category II (Table 5).

Maximise

Figure 23 NASA image

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Three black and white photographs. One shows the construction of a large, rectangular, metal box, which is rounded on its roof. The floor, ceiling and some wall supports are visible. Five men are standing inside it. A second photograph is taken from within the box and shows that the metallic walls have been added. Two men and several cables and wire are shown. The third photograph shows the completed metal box. It has the appearance of a metal caravan, with a door on the side and a window. Two men are standing at the door.

Figure 23 NASA image