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Both private companies such as SpaceX and the US NASA space agency want to carry pbadengers to Mars in just a few years. Technical development has progressed to such an extent that human visits to the red planet actually only seem to be a matter of time. However, renowned scientists from the US National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine warn: Legal requirements are often over 50 years old and need to be urgently reviewed. This is especially true in the field of possible contamination of foreign planets. It is therefore conceivable that astronauts bring bacteria and micro-organisms from the Earth to Mars. As a result, it would be difficult to distinguish whether life actually appeared on Mars – or was introduced only by humans.
Conversely, the danger also exists. At least theoretically, astronauts could knock pathogens out of their mission that are difficult to control here. The researchers therefore demand: There must be new and strict regulations to prevent this mutual contamination. The previous rules date from 1967. In the "Treaty on Outer Space", a large part of the world community is then committed not to pollute the space and to protect the Earth hazardous materials from the space. However, how should this happen has not been explicitly stated. Each country has therefore developed its own system. In the United States, for example, there are only recommendations for the cleaning of space capsules, but there are no legal provisions.
The goal is a new security protocol
According to scientists, this should change rapidly. In addition, NASA is encouraged to collaborate with microbiologists and geneticists to identify and address potential risks at an early stage. The final destination would then be a detailed safety protocol that must be completed before each take-off and landing – on NASA flights as well as on private missions. In addition, there is another requirement: NASA will provide additional resources to develop technologies to properly clean spacecraft and space suits. But that's where a problem might arise: in times of shrinking budgets, it will be extremely difficult for NASA executives to secure the funds it needs.
Via: Science Alert
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