Interplanetary pollution: A group of scientists develops program to protect life on Earth

A group of COSPAR scientists summarized A program to preserve life on Earth and other space objects In an article published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

Established in 1958 under the guidance of the International Council of Scientific Societies (now known as the International Council of Science), COSPAR (Committee for Space Exploration and Planetary Protection) has been actively engaged since the early 1960s in providing guidance on pollution issues that cause environmental pollution. from extraterrestrial exploration and planetary protection, as well as formulating and keeping up to date relevant policies.

For decades, they have developed a Planetary Protection Policy that serves as an international standard for reducing the risks of biological and organic pollution. This policy is part of Article IX of the 1967 United Nations Convention on Outer Space. including interplanetary pollution.

According to researchers, Accelerated space exploration increases adverse impact risks and in some cases irreversible on other worlds. Scientists believe that international policies should be implemented to avoid negative consequences.

As an example of these results, experts have described a situation where the entry of terrestrial bacteria on Mars would seriously complicate the search for signs of life on the planet. A similar situation may arise in missions to study Jupiter’s icy moons, where even a small amount of organic pollution from Earth’s materials would endanger any search for life.

COSPAR has defined five planetary protection categories based on the nature of space missions. orbital launches of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies and their transition to missions related to landing on these bodies and sending samples to Earth. The categories define the level of interplanetary pollution control and biosecurity.

Experts stressed the importance of all participants in space exploration, from national space agencies to non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to adhere to proposed extraterrestrial security policies.