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● Planetary Protection Technologies: NASA’s Mars Exploration Program
is also investing in technologies to enable the safe transport of materials
from Mars to Earth (e.g., technologies for containing samples and sample
containers for Mars materials, as well as technologies for sterilizing the
outsides of these containers). Although it is not known whether or not life
ever existed on Mars, concept studies for returning Martian material are
conducted under safety standards that are as high as, or higher than,

standards used for transporting known hazardous material on Earth.
Technologies currently under investigation include in-space sterilization
approaches (e.g., localized heat sterilization and plasma sterilization), as
well as sealing technologies (e.g., in-space metal brazing and explosive
welding).

From Robots to Humans

The science and technology developed through the Mars Exploration
Program will enable humans to one day explore the Red Planet.