SpaceRef - Astrobiology and Life Science - Planetary Protection

SpaceRef - Astrobiology and Life Science - Planetary Protection - Sample Return

A Passive Earth-Entry Capsule for Mars Sample Return - A technical discussion presented at an AIAA conference regarding the design requirements for a vehicle capable of returning samples from Mars that does not rely upon parachutes to slow its descent. [Note: 2MB Adobe Acrobat file]

Aerodynamics of Stardust Sample Return Capsule - A technical discussion presented at an AIAA conference regarding the design of the Stardust comet sample return mission's reentry capsule. [Note: 1MB Adobe Acrobat File].

Mars 2005 Sample Return Workshop - A summary of the 25-27 March 1996 workshop at NASA Johnson Space Center.

Mars Sample Return: Issues and Recommendations - A 25 March 1997 report by the National Research Council Space Studies Board Task Group on Issues in Sample Return.

Planetary Protection for Mars Missions - A description of the binding requirement on NASA to avoid forward and back contamination of planetary bodies during exploration. NASA Ames Research Center

Scientific Assessment of NASA's Mars Sample-Return Mission Options - A summary of a 1996 meeting of the Space Studies Board's Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration regarding an assessment of NASA's Mars Surveyor program plans to meet the long-standing scientific goal of returning Martian samples to Earth for study in terrestrial laboratories. Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration, National Research Council.