Evaluating the biological potential in samples returned from planetary satellites and small solar system bodies : framework for decision making / / Task Group on Sample Return from Small Solar System Bodies, Space Studies Board, Commission on Physical Sciences Mathematics and Applications, National Research Council

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910812034703321
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Washington, D.C., : National Academy Press, 1998
• ISBN: 0-309-17371-X; 1-280-18690-9; 9786610186907; 0-309-59204-6; 0-585-02542-8
• Edizione: [1st ed.]
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (116 p.)
• Disciplina: 576.8/39
• Soggetti: Planetary quarantine; Exobiology; Space microbiology
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references.
• Nota di contenuto: Evaluating the Biological Potential in Samples Returned from Planetary Satellites and Small Solar Sy... -- Copyright -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgment of Reviewers -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- STUDY APPROACH -- FINDINGS -- Planetary Satellites -- Asteroids -- Comets -- Cosmic Dust -- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -- Containment of Returned Samples -- Handling of Returned Samples -- Scientific Investigations to Reduce Uncertainty -- REFERENCES -- 1 Introduction -- SCOPE AND APPROACH OF THIS STUDY -- CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF ORIGINS, CONTINUANCE, AND SURVIVAL OF TERRESTRIALLIFE FORMS-A SYNOPSIS -- Early Earth as a Model for the Origins of Self-replicating Life Forms -- Viability of Microorganisms -- Factors That Influence the Survival of Metabolically Active Cells -- Factors That Affect the Survival of Dormant Microorganisms -- QUESTIONS APPROPRIATE FOR ASSESSING THE BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL ; OF SMALL BODIES -- CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THIS REPORT -- REFERENCES -- 2 Natural Influx and Cross-Contamination -- NATURAL INFLUX TO EARTH -- PROCESSES OF DELIVERY FROM DIVERSE PARENT BODIES -- CROSS-CONTAMINATION -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 3 Planetary Satellites Inside Jupiter's Orbit -- ORIGIN, COMPOSITION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF SATELLITES EXAMINED -- The Moon -- The Satellites of Mars -- The Galilean Satellites of Jupiter -- Io -- Europa -- Ganymede -- Callisto -- POTENTIAL FOR A LIVING ENTITY TO BE IN OR ON SAMPLES RETURNED FROMPLANETARY SATELLITES -- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENTOF PLANETARY SATELLITES -- Phobos and Deimos -- Europa -- Ganymede -- Callisto -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 4 Asteroids and Meteorites -- UNDIFFERENTIATED, PRIMITIVE (C-TYPE) ASTEROIDS -- UNDIFFERENTIATED, METAMORPHOSED ASTEROIDS -- DIFFERENTIATED ASTEROIDS.; POTENTIAL FOR A LIVING ENTITY TO BE IN OR ON SAMPLES RETURNED FROMASTEROIDS -- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENTOF ASTEROIDS -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 5 Comets -- ORIGIN -- Place of Formation -- Nebular Processes and Accretion -- Gravitational Scattering -- Early Heating and Melting -- COMPOSITION -- Physical Characteristics -- Chemical Composition -- PAST AND PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS -- DELIVERY OF SAMPLES TO EARTH -- POTENTIAL FOR A LIVING ENTITY TO BE IN OR ON SAMPLES RETURNED FROMCOMETS -- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENTOF COMETS -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 6 Cosmic Dust -- NATURAL INFALL OF DUST TO EARTH -- POTENTIAL FOR A LIVING ENTITY TO BE IN OR ON RETURNED SAMPLES OFCOSMIC DUST -- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENTOF COSMIC DUST -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 7 Considering the Potential Risks from Returned Samples -- LIKELIHOOD OF FINDING AND INCLUDING A LIVING ORGANISM IN SAMPLESFROM DIFFERENT SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES -- ANTICIPATING THE PUTATIVE NATURE OF LIFE FROM SMALL SOLAR SYSTEMBODIES -- CONCERNS ABOUT POTENTIAL BIOHAZARDS AND ADVERSE EFFECTS -- CONTAINMENT AND QUARANTINE FACILITIES -- TESTING OF RETURNED SAMPLES -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 8 Conclusions and Recommendations -- ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL FOR A LIVING ENTITY TO BE PRESENT IN OR ONSAMPLES RETURNED FROM SMALL SOLAR... -- Planetary Satellites -- Moon -- Phobos and Deimos -- Io -- Europa -- Ganymede -- Callisto -- Asteroids -- Comets -- Cosmic Dust -- CONTAINMENT AND HANDLING OF RETURNED SAMPLES -- SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE UNCERTAINTY -- REFERENCE -- Appendixes -- A Biographical Sketches of Task Group Members -- B Letter of Request -- C Additional Perspectives on Contamination from Space -- CLAY-BASED LIFE -- PANSPERMIA -- ARTIFACTS IN METEORITES.; REFERENCES -- D Planetary Protection Policy-NASA and COSPAR -- NASA'S POLICY -- Cospar Policy -- REFERENCES -- E Glossary.