Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

Exploring the Unknown 743
Adrian Mandel
John A. Mason
Carl Sagan
NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center
NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center
Cornell University
E. E. Salmon U.S. Department of Agriculture
David J. Sencer
Gerald R. Taylor
Bennic C. Wooley
Department of Health, Education
and Welfare, Communicable
Disease Center Atlanta
NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center
NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center
Summary of Finding and Major Recommendations
Finding
In Apollo 13 the proposed highland landing site and core sample to a depth
of 8 feet constitute a substantially new lunar environment in comparison to the
landing sites and sampled areas of Apollo 11 and 12 missions.
Lunar Quarantine Program
Recommendations
A majority recommend continuance of the 3-week lunar quarantine
period. A minority favor discontinuance of quarantine.
Lunar Samples
We recommend development of procedural changes in the handling of
lunar samples to preclude alteration of the sample prior to analysis.
Biological Testing Program
We recommend the continued development of a research program within
the LRL to develop greater confidence in the adequacy of the test program and
the validity of both negative and positive findings.
Introduction
Our committee heard from representations of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration’s Office of Manned Space Flight and Manned Spacecraft
Center, from lunar sample experimenters and from persons responsible for
operations in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory. Summaries were presented
of medical tests on astronauts and other quarantined personnel and of the
examination of lunar samples including tests for pathogenicity, or toxicity and for
the presence of life forms.