Illustration of the potential for cross contamination

As photographed by ingenuity, the remains of the parachute and backshell of curiosity lander on Mars. To me, this shot is a beautiful one, especially when it comes to illustrate the risk for cross contamination of celestial bodies through the use of robotic probes.

Indeed: we target our probes to the very places where "life as we know it on Earth", could be surviving somehow. but our probes are not 100% sterile: as per COSPAR regulation, a biologic payload is accepted onboard. (>> link to add, towards Cospar PPP<<)

Remains of Curiosity parachute and backshell as photographed by Ingenuity helicopter. NASA2022.

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