scope:

Applicability

This standard is applicable to all missions that may encounter solar system bodies in nominal and credible off-nominal scenarios, including those returning extraterrestrial samples to the Earth-Moon system. Credible off-nominal scenarios include those that could affect compliance with the probabilistic constraints informed by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Policy and Guidelines released in 2021 (hereafter referred to as COSPAR policy and guidelines).

This standard is approved for use by NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers, and may be cited in contract, program, and other Agency documents as a technical requirement. This standard applies to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or to other contractors, grant recipients, or parties to agreements to the extent specified or referenced in their contracts, grants, or agreements.

In this standard, all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms "may" denotes a discretionary privilege or permission, "can" denotes statements of possibility or capability, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.

Projects consult with the Office of Planetary Protection (OPP) to coordinate tailoring considerations for the PP Requirements Document (see Appendix B) based on new knowledge or unique mission configuration (see NPR 8715.24, Planetary Protection Provisions for Robotic Extraterrestrial Missions).

Based on the mission-specific documentation and new knowledge of planetary bodies, revised planetary protection approaches provided in the PP Implementation Plan for missions may be considered by the responsible Mission Directorate and the OPP.

Alternate or novel methods and approaches for planetary protection implementation not included in this standard may be proposed recognizing the need for adequate resources and schedule for review. The OPP verifies the acceptability of all alternative methods prior to adoption by the project based on project-supplied data. In light of current scientific consensus, project-supplied data is examined rigorously by relevant subject matter experts and evaluated for the effectiveness of the alternate method for the specific application under consideration.