ESA Document - Emits - ESA

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2.2.5.1 Mars bio-contamination
HMM
Assessment Study
Report: CDF-20(A)
February 2004
page 30 of 422
• Any spacecraft intended to land on the surface of Mars shall satisfy Cat. IV (bioload on
exposed surfaces of less than Viking pre-sterilization levels).
• Spacecraft, or parts of spacecrafts, not intended to land on the surface of Mars shall have
4
a probability of impact on Martian surface of less than10
− −5
or bioload of less than 5 ⋅ 10
spores on the whole spacecraft. This requirement is also valid for parts that re-enter the
Martian atmosphere.
• Orbiting spacecraft are classified as category III and shall have a probability of impact
2
for the first 20 years of < 10 − −2
and for the following 30 years of < 5⋅
10 . Any Mars
orbiting spacecraft is exempt from these orbital lifetime requirements if the bioload on
−5
the entire spacecraft is less than 5 ⋅ 10 spores.
2.2.5.2 Earth backward bio-contamination
• Return samples classified as category V, restricted Earth return. As such, they have to be
enclosed in a biological containment for all mission phases until they are inside the Mars
Sample receiving Facility back on Earth. Verification of sample container sealing
required before entering in the Earth-Moon system.
• Contaminated vehicles returning from Mars shall not enter the Earth-Moon system unless
their external surface is sterilized by the high temperature during entry. The probability
of contaminated material to be exposed to the terrestrial biosphere shall be less than 10 -6 .
2.2.6 Constraints
Besides the above requirements, the following constraints were specified for the mission case
definition:
• Avoid the Martian dust storm season for the landing and the surface operations
• No critical operation allowed during superior conjunction
• Development of a new on-purpose launcher is excluded
• No previous cargo mission with surface infrastructure or consumables shall be assumed
Technology constraints have a large impact on the mission case definition. They consist of the
elimination of possible “advanced” technologies from the mission options. Including such
technologies will contrast with the need for obtaining a clear understanding of the technical issue
at this stage.
• Nuclear power either for cruise and Martian surface shall not be considered
• Nuclear propulsion shall not be considered
• Electric propulsion shall not be considered
• In-Situ Resources Utilisation shall not be considered, either for propellant or for food
• Food production (e.g. greenhouse) shall not be considered
• Inflatable structure technology for the Habitation Module shall not be considered