Planetary protection

Thomas Cheney*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingEntry for encyclopedia/dictionarypeer-review

Abstract

Planetary protection is a system for protecting the Earth's environment from extraterrestrial contamination and protecting the outer space environment from terrestrial contamination, particularly that which would negatively impact the search for life. This entry provides an overview of planetary protection's place in the space governance regime, the history of planetary protection, and the concept's relationship with environmental and scientific ethics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationElgar Encyclopedia of Space Policy and Governance
EditorsSa’id Mosteshar, Christoph Beischl, Arne Sönnichsen
Place of PublicationCheltenham, United Kingdom
PublisherEdward Elgar
Chapter30
Pages113-116
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781803925479, 9781035369683
ISBN (Print)9781803925462
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2025

Keywords

  • Backwards contamination
  • COSPAR
  • Forward contamination
  • Planetary protection
  • Search for life
  • Space exploration
  • Space sustainability

    Napier, J. L., 25 Jun 2025, Elgar Encyclopedia of Space Policy and Governance. Mosteshar, S., Beischl, C. & Sönnichsen, A. (eds.). Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar, p. 177-180 4 p.

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingEntry for encyclopedia/dictionarypeer-review

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