NASA is planning its first-ever mission to bring dirt and rocks from Mars back to Earth, but the space agency needs to figure out exactly how to protect our planet from any alien microbes that might hitch a ride.
called the International Committee Against Mars Sample Return, which has long opposed plans to bring Martian rocks directly to Earth.
Even so, he says, NASA is taking a conservative approach."Anything that has contacted Mars directly will be contained or sterilized before it is returned," says Clement. In his view, the main danger of a rupture or leak would be contaminating the precious Martian samples with Earth material. That's why the samples will likely need to be opened in high-tech facilities that can replicate the environment and atmosphere of Mars, Bell says.
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