Integrating public perspectives in sample return planning

Planning for extraterrestrial sample returns— whether from Mars or other solar system bodies— must be done in a way that integrates planetary protection concerns with the usual mission technical and scientific considerations. Understanding and addressing legitimate societal concerns about the possib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in space research 2000, Vol.26 (12), p.1901-1909
Main Authors: Race, Margaret S., MacGregor, Donald G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Containment of Biohazards
Data Collection
Environmental Microbiology
Extraterrestrial Environment
Mars
Public Opinion
Public Policy
Risk Assessment
Space Flight - standards
Space Flight - trends
Space life sciences
United States
United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Summary:Planning for extraterrestrial sample returns— whether from Mars or other solar system bodies— must be done in a way that integrates planetary protection concerns with the usual mission technical and scientific considerations. Understanding and addressing legitimate societal concerns about the possible risks of sample return will be a critical part of the public decision making process ahead. This paper presents the results of two studies, one with lay audiences, the other with expert microbiologists designed to gather information on attitudes and concerns about sample return risks and planetary protection. Focus group interviews with lay subjects, using generic information about Mars sample return and a preliminary environmental impact assessment, were designed to obtain an indication of how the factual content is perceived and understood by the public. A research survey of microbiologists gathered information on experts' views and attitudes about sample return, risk management approaches and space exploration risks. These findings, combined with earlier research results on risk perception, will be useful in identifying levels of concern and potential conflicts in understanding between experts and the public about sample return risks. The information will be helpful in guiding development of the environmental impact statement and also has applicability to proposals for sample return from other solar system bodies where scientific uncertainty about extraterrestrial life may persist at the time of mission planning.
ISSN:0273-1177
1879-1948
DOI:10.1016/S0273-1177(00)00160-5