Fundamental studies concerning planetary quarantine in space

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 339 - 344
• Main Authors: Koike, J., Hori, T., Katahira, Y., Koike, K.A., Tanaka, K., Kobayashi, K., Kawasaki, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 1996
• Subjects: Bacteria - radiation effects; Environmental Microbiology; Eukaryota - radiation effects; Extraterrestrial Environment; Fungi; Mars; Protons; Space Flight - standards; Space life sciences; Space Simulation; Spores, Bacterial - radiation effects; Spores, Fungal - radiation effects; Sterilization - methods; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/0273-1177(95)00825-Y

If there is a possibility that the organisms carried from Earth to space can live for a significant period on planets, the contamination of planets should be prevented for the purpose of future life-detection experiments. In connection with quarantine for interplanetary missions, we have examined the survivabilities of terrestrial microorganisms under simulated space conditions /1–8/. In this study, examined the survivabilities of terrestrial organisms under simulated Mars conditions. The Mars conditions were simulated by ultraviolet (UV) and proton irradiation under low temperature, high vacuum, and simulated gaseous conditions. After exposure to the simulated Mars condition, the surviva-bilities of the organisms were examined. The spores of
Bacillus subtilis and
Aspergillus niger, some anaerobic bacterias and algaes, showed considerably high survivabilities even after UV and proton irradiation corresponding to 200 years on Mars. This subject is not restricted to academic curiosity but concerns problems involving the contamination of Mars with terrestrial organisms carried by space-probes.