July 2005

National Academies advisory: Preventing microbial contamination of Mars

If microbes on a spacecraft bound to Mars were to survive the trip and grow there, they could interfere with scientific investigations to detect any life that might be native to Mars. PREVENTING THE FORWARD CONTAMINATION OF MARS, new from the National Academies' National Research Council, reviews NASA's measures to detect and eliminate microorganisms on Mars-bound robotic spacecraft and recommends practices that should be researched and implemented. Advance copies of the report will be available to reporters at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 25. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 4 P.M. EDT ON JULY 25. Reporters can obtain a copy by contacting the Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail [email protected].