Reversible Exploration Not Worth the Cost

摘要

C. P. Mckay ("biologically reversible exploration," Policy Forum, 6 February, p. 718) makes an impassioned case for so-called biologically reversible exploration of Mars. However, such a strategy will impose additional costs on an already strained program (1), and it is neither feasible in the context of a robust Mars exploration program nor necessary to ensure the fidelity of future in situ scientific endeavors. The concept of biologically reversible exploration is focused on potential effects of forward contamination-the transport of terrestrial microorganisms to other planetary bodies.