COSPAR needs for Planetary Protection recommendations for sample preservation dedicated to exobiology Original Research Article

The present COSPAR Planetary Protection policy has been established in order to conduct scientific investigations of possible extraterrestrial life forms, precursors and remnants avoiding to jeopardize exobiological experimentations. This policy is implemented by the issuance of Planetary Protection recommendations in order to control, limit or avoid the biological contamination of other worlds. Their goal is also to protect the Earth from the potential hazard posed by extraterrestrial matter carried by a spacecraft returning from another planet. Policy and recommendations are built upon scientific opinions and, if available, using scientific results coming from exobiological investigations. If sample preservation is not ensured, inducing contamination or change in sample material properties, some material characteristics can be affected and may induce false results concerning presence of life or biohazard. It concerns in situ investigations as well as analysis of extra terrestrial samples on Earth. False results could lead to propose unappropriate Planetary Protection requirements. This paper will propose recommendations and requirements for sample preservation in order to ensure the validity of exobiological science and directly to consolidate COSPAR policy, giving the best assurance to requirements for forward and back-contamination.