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Another random question: In pictures like this: http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/800px-Opportunity_Lander_Petals_PIA04848-615.jpg http://cdn.

Another random question: In pictures like this: http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/800px-Opportunity_Lander_Petals_PIA04848-615.jpg http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/800px-Op... the rover is in a clean chamber, with the staff wearing suits. Why is the clean chamber needed for assembly?

jcarreiro 14y ago
This is part of NASA's Planetary Protection directive [1]. Their goal is to ensure that we do not inadvertently contaminate the pristine environments that we visit with our spacecraft. If we did, we would be destroying an invaluable scientific resource! They are also responsible for ensuring that samples returned to Earth from outer space are handled safely. [1] http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov
vacri 14y ago
Hollywood movies to the contrary, archeological research is very concerned with avoiding contaminating the subject with crap from the researchers. Imagine if life was found on mars... and we introduced the diseases that killed it.