Skip to main content

A Science Strategy for the Exploration of Europa (1999) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

5 Related Issues
Pages 59-63

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 59...
... Differences Between Mars and Europa To date, considerations of forward contamination have focused principally on Mars, the most plausible abode of past or present life to which spacecraft have been dispatched. Several characteristics of the martian environment have, however, led to the drafting of planetary protection requirements that emphasize the preservation of science rather that the protection of biospheres.5 These characteristics include the following: · Indications based on the Viking mission and subsequent studies that the martian surface is not, in general, conducive to the proliferation of life.
Read the entire page →
From page 60...
... Similarly, although it is extremely unlikely that any known terrestrial organism could survive the long journey to, and intense radiation around, Europa, nevertheless the survival of terrestrial organisms in a variety of extreme environmental conditions, including low temperatures and high radiation, is well documented.7 ~ Moreover, a variety of terrestrial microorganisms could possibly grow in a europan ocean, including methanogens, sulfate reducers, anaerobic methane oxidizers, oligotrophic anaerobic heterotrophs capable of growing (albeit slowly) on low concentrations of organic compounds, and acetogens (John Baross, University of Washington, private communication, 1999~.
Read the entire page →
From page 61...
... That is, they would be designed to protect Europa for a finite period of time during which biological exploration could proceed unencumbered by terrestrial contamination. One issue of particular concern for Europa is the potential for inclusion of organic material in spacecraft arriving at Europa.
Read the entire page →
From page 62...
... 3. Space Studies Board, National Research Council, Biological Contamination of Mars: Issues and Recommendations, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1992, page 14.
Read the entire page →
From page 63...
... 13. Space Studies Board, National Research Council, Evaluating the Biological Potential in Samples Returnedfrom Planetary Satellites and Small Solar System Bodies: Framework for Decision Making, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1998, page 81.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • forward contamination
  • terrestrial organisms
  • space studies
  • mars sample
  • martian surface

  • optical components
  • organic molecules
  • europan organisms
  • space research
  • biological exploration

  • biological contamination
  • sample handling
  • extremely unlikely
  • samples returned
  • spacecraft hardware

  • planetary bodies
  • interagency cooperation
  • europan ocean
  • albeit slowly
  • recent nrc

  • ecological niche
  • viking mission
  • proceed unencumbered
  • study concluded
  • living organisms

  • suitable components
  • favors preserving
  • potential interagency
  • geosynchronous orbits
  • extensive searching


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.