Knowledge Tree
COSPAR
Also known as: Committee on Space Research, COSPAR Panel
Facts (41)
Sources
Planetary protection: an international concern and responsibility frontiersin.org May 29, 2023 25 facts
quoteThe main objectives of COSPAR are to promote scientific research in space at an international level, with emphasis on the exchange of results, information, and opinions.
claimCOSPAR maintains a members-only repository for planetary protection information and publishes shareable information on the Panel on Planetary Protection website.
claimCOSPAR has maintained a close working relationship with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) since the early 1960s.
referenceThe knowledge gaps identified by the COSPAR workshop series for crewed Mars missions are categorized into three major themes: (1) Microbial and human health monitoring, (2) Technology and operations for biological contamination control, and (3) Natural transport of biological contamination on Mars.
procedurePlanetary protection reports required by COSPAR include a short planetary protection plan, pre- and post-launch analyses, a post-encounter report, and an end-of-mission report that determines the location of any impact.
claimThe Sample Safety Assessment Framework (SSAF) serves as a basis for other COSPAR Planetary Protection Category V, restricted Earth return, missions beyond Mars.
claimThe core objective of the COSPAR Policy on planetary protection is to maintain the integrity of scientific investigations regarding potential extraterrestrial life forms, precursors, and remnants by preventing the introduction of terrestrial biological material into extraterrestrial environments.
claimCOSPAR organizes scientific assemblies, symposia, and publications to provide a forum for scientists, engineers, and stakeholders to discuss issues related to scientific space research.
accountThe 6th COSPAR Meeting on 'Planetary Protection Knowledge Gaps for Crewed Mars Missions' was held in June 2022 and resulted in a report (Spry et al., 2021) that identified, refined, and prioritized knowledge gaps for crewed Mars missions.
perspectiveCurrent scientific understanding and COSPAR policy maintain that the presence of a biological hazard in Martian material cannot be ruled out, necessitating the implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies.
accountThe results of the ESA-JAXA-NASA study and the NAS-ESF review were presented to the ESA Planetary Working Group (PPWG) and COSPAR.
accountThe 2020 update to COSPAR's planetary protection policy for icy moons was based on a project funded by the European Commission and led by the European Science Foundation, with partners including DLR/Germany, INAF/Italy, Eurospace, Space Technology/Ireland, Imperial College London, the China Academy of Space Technology, and the NAS-SSB.
claimThe COSPAR planetary protection policy for the Moon is designed to ensure that future robotic and manned missions can conduct investigations and secure scientific results, rather than prohibiting access to any specific lunar region.
referenceThe COSPAR Sample Safety Assessment Framework (SSAF) was developed by a COSPAR-appointed working group to evaluate whether samples returned from Mars could contain Martian life and thus pose a biological contamination risk to Earth.
claimCOSPAR’s Policy defines 'replicating entity' more broadly than the Sample Safety Assessment Framework (SSAF), including viruses and general biologically active molecules like prions, whereas the SSAF focuses specifically on non-terrestrial self-replicating entities.
claimCompliance with the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy is required for all stakeholders, including space agencies and private sector entities, and should be consulted at the beginning of new space projects to ensure sustainable robotic and human investigations.
accountThe ESA-JAXA-NASA study on Martian moon sample return was reviewed by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the European Science Foundation (ESF), with involvement from COSPAR throughout the process.
claimThe COSPAR Panel issued a special categorization for an unrestricted Earth return for samples returned from Phobos, based on studies determining that such samples would not present a risk to Earth if handled and processed carefully.
claimIn the field of planetary protection, COSPAR has historically reported to COPUOS through bodies such as the Consultative Group on Potentially Harmful Effects of Space Experiments, the Panel on Standards for Probe Sterilization, the Panel on Planetary Quarantine, and the current Panel on Planetary Protection.
claimCOSPAR is part of the International Council for Science (ICS), which was established in 1958 as the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
referenceThe Planetary Protection of the Outer Solar System (PPOSS) study, supported by the European Commission’s H2020 Program (2016–2018, grant agreement 687,373), aimed to provide an international platform to review planetary protection regulations for outer Solar System bodies and provide recommendations to COSPAR.
claimCOSPAR is structured into eight Scientific Commissions and several Panels related to space science activities.
claimCOSPAR and NASA have co-sponsored a series of workshops focused on planetary protection for human missions to Mars to address knowledge gaps in science and technology.
claimThe COSPAR Policy requires a life-detection examination of returned samples, whereas the SSAF (Sample Safety Assessment Framework) explicitly states that it is not a life-detection protocol, according to Kminek et al. (2022).
claimCOSPAR develops scientific roadmaps on important matters to inform decision-makers and facilitate collaborative efforts within the international context based on state-of-the-art space research.
Astrobioethics | International Journal of Astrobiology | Cambridge Core cambridge.org Apr 10, 2017 9 facts
claimA 'Special Region' is defined by COSPAR as a location where terrestrial organisms are likely to replicate or where there is a potential presence of Martian life.
claimCOSPAR Category I missions are defined as missions with no interest for the study of the chemical evolution of life, and they do not require the application of the Planetary Protection Policy.
claimCOSPAR Category V includes an 'unrestricted return to Earth' subcategory for celestial bodies scientifically confirmed to lack native life forms, such as the Moon.
claimCOSPAR's planetary protection policies are based on Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty.
claimCOSPAR Category III missions include orbiting objects with astrobiological interest that could compromise future research if contact occurs, requiring precautionary measures.
claimCOSPAR Category IV missions involve rovers or probes landing on celestial objects of high astrobiological interest, such as Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and other icy satellites or Kuiper Belt Objects, requiring assembly protocols similar to the Viking missions.
claimCOSPAR Category II missions are defined as missions with relative interest for the evolution of life and a remote probability of compromising future investigations, requiring documentation of the Planetary Protection Policy plan, pre-launch, post-launch, post-match, and end-of-mission reports.
claimCOSPAR's Planetary Protection Policy is updated through an ongoing process of debate.
claimCOSPAR Category V missions involve sample returns to Earth and require Planetary Protection Policy measures to protect Earth and the Moon from contamination.
Planetary Protection Policy: For sustainable space exploration and ... researchoutreach.org Nov 8, 2023 3 facts
claimThe Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) develops, maintains, and promotes a Policy on Planetary Protection, which serves as the international reference standard for spacefaring nations to guide compliance with Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty.
claimThe COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (PPP) consists of 19 members representing space agencies, the scientific community, and other stakeholders who review scientific research to advise on planetary protection policy updates and implementation guidelines.
claimThe COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (PPP) aims to ensure that scientific research regarding the search for life and the origin of life in the solar system is not compromised by contamination.
Ethical Considerations and Planetary Protection for Future Space ... ui.adsabs.harvard.edu 1 fact
referenceThe 2010 COSPAR Workshop Report on Ethical Considerations for Planetary Protection in Space Exploration recommended maintaining the existing planetary protection policy focused on scientific concerns while simultaneously exploring new approaches to contamination avoidance.
Planetary Protection - ESA technology.esa.int 1 fact
claimThe COSPAR Planetary Protection policy categorizes space missions into five categories based on the target body and mission type (such as orbiter or lander), with specific recommended requirements for each category.
Report Series—Committee on Planetary Protection (2023) nationalacademies.org 1 fact
perspectiveThe Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) recommends that forward contamination controls for small bodies (other than those specifically categorized) may not be necessary, and such missions should be classified as Category I or II due to the high number of objects in those classes.
Read "Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy ... nap.nationalacademies.org 1 fact
perspectiveThe committee (National Academies) suggests that periodic updates on ethical implications could serve as a mechanism to convey norms to the international public and private space community, which could subsequently lead to formal COSPAR policy.