Guardians of the Cosmos: Planetary Protection

This chapter explores the essential role of planetary protection in NASA, emphasizing its mission to prevent microbial contamination during space exploration. It highlights the engineering challenges faced during the Mars 2020 mission and the intricate processes involved in safely collecting and returning extraterrestrial samples. The conversation also touches on the evolution of microbial analysis and shares personal anecdotes from experts in the field, blending humor with serious scientific insights.