Expecting Unprecedented Interest When Planning to Return Samples from Mars
Abstract
Discoveries by Mars orbiters and surface missions have established that the Red Planet did harbor a habitable environment in the past, at least where NASA rovers have looked. Mars 2020's first steps at Jezero Crater could potentially lead to the start of an effort to eventually return samples from our planetary neighbor — the first of its kind from an environment relevant to the study of the evolution and origins of life. Such an effort would have implicit special precautions in handling the samples safely if they were brought back. There is no doubt that this endeavor would be the boldest of its kind since Apollo. Thus, any plans to return samples from Mars should be expected to draw unprecedented interest from the public and government decision-makers, likely from around the globe, particularly if the international effort being planned between agencies comes to fruition.
While it is expected that the samples would be handled on Earth in accordance with predefined protocols, sample return planners should keep in mind that addressing the curiosity and concerns of public stakeholders as well as decision-makers in government would help with both initial public acceptance and ultimate success. Keeping audiences engaged through outreach efforts would be paramount, but just as important would be a communication strategy that details the specific plans and criteria for containing samples and the decision-making process for how and when to release them for further study, effectively communicating possible risks, acknowledging and responding to public comments as part of environmental compliance activities, and robust communications about contingency planning and agencies' readiness to respond to emergencies. The authors will present an overview of key elements of a risk communication strategy that would satisfy legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as planning responsibilities of participating agencies. An ambitious scientific endeavor that could confirm, deny, or raise further questions about a unique genesis of life on another planet deserves a risk communication strategy of similar scope and creativity. Note:The decision to implement Mars Sample Return will not be finalized until NASA's completion of the National Environment Policy Act process. This document is being made available for information purposes only.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.P33E..07M
- Keywords:
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- 0406 Astrobiology and extraterrestrial materials;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 6225 Mars;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6304 Benefit-cost analysis;
- POLICY SCIENCES;
- 6329 Project evaluation;
- POLICY SCIENCES