Planetary Protection Issues of Private Endeavors in Research, Exploration, and Human Access to Space: An Environmental Economics Approach to Backward Contamination

摘要: Abstract Owing to recent changes in the structure of aerospace sector and its relationship government, landscape space industry is now experiencing emergence a commercialization paradigm. Private endeavors may soon be able target novel market segments research exploration, resources utilization, human access space and further stimulate growth new economy. Thus, interdisciplinary field planetary protection has keep abreast these advances to avoid unnecessary complications that might hinder useful reinvigoration economic interest sector. Planetary defined as set guidelines aim prevent forward contamination celestial bodies with biological material from Earth backward terrestrial biosphere extraterrestrial material. The possession technical capabilities for by more than one private entity formulating public perception so-called “Mars Race” raises significant questions respect potential issues. This work outlines an environmental economics approach contamination. Specifically, commercial activities on Mars pose risks are those require return people, material, vehicles, or other equipment back Earth, such business cases tourism sample return. Although do not seem realistic risk at present, it would prudent consider them during policy-making. Earth-return missions expected generate vigorous worldwide environmental, health, safety related incident. As kinds also involve post-reentry phase recovery, transfer, reception, distribution samples handling returned people equipment, quarantine issues have been raised since Apollo era become relevant again. In case this kind activities, various jurisdictions laws pertain matter. However, will play key role, done industrial development projects need social responsibility. Drawing analogies siting noxious facilities strong justice characteristics, explore application equitably balance benefits costs future risk.