Space exploration carries with it risks of biological contamination. Here, the planetary protection efforts currently in place to control microbial contamination during space exploration are discussed, including plans related to sample and crew returns to Earth from other Solar System destinations such as Mars.
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Spry, J.A. Current status and future perspectives in planetary protection. Nat Microbiol 7, 475–477 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-022-01060-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-022-01060-9
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Domains of life sciences in spacefaring: what, where, and how to get involved
npj Microgravity (2024)