This is a brief article about John Rummel, NASA's Planetary Protection Officer. It explains the purpose of planetary protection (to prevent contamination of Earth by alien life forms and of space by Earth's life forms), gives some historical background about NASA's planetary protection policies, and gives examples of recent protocols for sterilization of spacecraft. There are links to the Planetary Protection Office website, the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Bodies, and updated policy guidelines.
Subject: Biology, Astrobiology, Microbiology, Environmental Science:Policy, Policy:Global Policy, US National Policy, Geoscience:Lunar and Planetary Science, Lunar and Planetary Science:Mars, Mars:Life on Mars Grade Level: High School (9-12), General Public Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Environmental Science, Teach the Earth:Incorporating Societal Issues:Public Policy, Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Planetary ScienceKeywords: NASA, planetary protection, astrobiology
