COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection Colloquium, Bern, Switzerland, September 2015 (Meeting Reports)

The COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy describes requirements for different planetary protection categories depending on the type of mission, the target body and the type of scientific investigations [1]. Updating the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy is an iterative process that involves the scientific community. This process is based on new scientific discoveries, new understanding of scientific observations, or, responds to needs identified to prepare future space missions. In consultation with the COSPAR Scientific Commissions B (Space Studies of the Earth-Moon System, Planets, and Small Bodies of the Solar System) and F (Life Sciences as Related to Space), the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection organised a colloquium at the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland, in September 2015, to discuss two pertinent topics: - Icy moon sample return planetary protection requirements - Mars Special Regions planetary protection requirements These two topics were addressed in two separate sessions. The recommendations described in this report are based on discussions in the course of the colloquium and reflect a consensus of the colloquium attendees that participated in one or both separate sessions. Any opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the attendee(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisations that provided support for their participation

Report of the COSPAR Mars special regions colloquium

International audienceIn this paper we present the findings of a COSPAR Mars Special Regions Colloquium held in Rome in 2007. We review and discuss the definition of Mars Special Regions, the physical parameters used to define Mars Special Regions, and physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as Mars Special Regions. We conclude that any region experiencing temperatures > -25 degrees C for a few hours a year and a water activity > 0.5 can potentially allow the replication of terrestrial microorganisms. Physical features on Mars that can be interpreted as meeting these conditions constitute a Mars Special Region. Based on current knowledge of the martian environment and the conservative nature of planetary protection, the following features constitute Mars Special regions: Gullies and bright streaks associated with them, pasted-on terrain, deep subsurface, dark streaks only on a case-by-case basis, others to be determined. The parameter definition and the associated list of physical features should be re-evaluated on a regular basis