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The Open University

Introduction to Planetary Protection

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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As we explore the Solar System, it is important that we do not accidentally contaminate untouched and unspoilt extraterrestrial environments in any way. In this free course you will learn about ‘Planetary Protection’ and why it is critical for our future exploration and use of space.This course has been developed with support from the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Panel and the UK Space Agency.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Why are we protecting the planets?
  • 1.1 ‘Are we alone?’
  • 1.1.1 What is life?
  • 1.1.2 Biosignatures
  • 1.1.3 Habitable environments
  • 1.2 Where did we come from?
  • 1.3 Protecting the Earth
  • 1.3.1 Launch and return
  • 1.3.2 Biohazards
  • 2 What are we protecting space from?
  • 2.1 Biological contamination
  • 2.1.1 Living in extreme environments
  • 2.1.2 Analogue sites
  • 2.1.3 Survival strategies
  • 2.2 Organic contamination
  • 2.2.1 MOC on spacecraft
  • 2.2.2 MOC in the natural environment
  • 2.2.3 MOC and the Moon
  • 3 The governance of planetary protection
  • 3.1 The Outer Space Treaty
  • 3.2 The COPSAR Panel on Planetary Protection
  • 3.3 The COPSAR Planetary Protection Policy
  • 3.4 The Icy Worlds: A Planetary Protection Case Study
  • 3.4.1 Exploring icy worlds
  • 3.4.2 Limiting contamination on icy worlds
  • 3.4.3 Cassini’s sacrifice
  • 4 Planetary Protection Requirements
  • 4.1 The history of planetary protection requirements
  • 4.1.1 Planetary protection and Mars exploration
  • 4.1.2 Planetary protection for Mars today
  • 4.1.3 Mars sample return
  • 4.2 Cleanroom environments
  • 4.2.1 How clean is clean?
  • 4.2.2 Monitoring bioburden
  • 4.2.3 Monitoring MOC in cleanrooms
  • 4.3 Bioburden Reduction
  • 4.3.1 Pre-launch sterilisation
  • 4.3.2 Sterilisation during a mission
  • 5 The future of planetary protection
  • 6 Conclusion
  • 7 Quiz
  • 8 Tell us what you think?
  • Acknowledgements
  • Glossary

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