A new analysis of Mars "Special Regions": findings of the second MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2).
A committee of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) has reviewed and updated the description of Special Regions on Mars as places where terrestrial organisms might replicate (per the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy). This review and update was conducted by an international team (SR-SAG2) drawn from both the biological science and Mars exploration communities, focused on understanding when and where Special Regions could occur. The study applied recently available data about martian environments and about terrestrial organisms, building on a previous analysis of Mars Special Regions (2006) undertaken by a similar team. Since then, a new body of highly relevant information has been generated from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (launched in 2005) and Phoenix (2007) and data from Mars Express and the twin Mars Exploration Rovers (all 2003). Results have also been gleaned from the Mars Science Laboratory (launched in 2011). In addition to Mars data, there is a considerable body of new data regarding the known environmental limits to life on Earth-including the potential for terrestrial microbial life to survive and replicate under martian environmental conditions. The SR-SAG2 analysis has included an examination of new Mars models relevant to natural environmental variation in water activity and temperature; a review and reconsideration of the current parameters used to define Special Regions; and updated maps and descriptions of the martian environments recommended for treatment as "Uncertain" or "Special" as natural features or those potentially formed by the influence of future landed spacecraft. Significant changes in our knowledge of the capabilities of terrestrial organisms and the existence of possibly habitable martian environments have led to a new appreciation of where Mars Special Regions may be identified and protected. The SR-SAG also considered the impact of Special Regions on potential future human missions to Mars, both as locations of potential resources and as places that should not be inadvertently contaminated by human activity.
1 Department of Biology, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina, USA .
John D
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Rummel
David W
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Beaty
Melissa A
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Jones
Corien
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Bakermans
Nadine G
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Barlow
Penelope J
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Boston
Vincent F
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Chevrier
Benton C
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Clark
Jean-Pierre P
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de Vera
Raina V
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Gough
John E
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Hallsworth
James W
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Head
Victoria J
VJ
Hipkin
Thomas L
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Kieft
Alfred S
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McEwen
Michael T
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Mellon
Jill A
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Mikucki
Wayne L
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Nicholson
Christopher R
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Omelon
Ronald
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Peterson
Eric E
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Roden
Barbara
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Sherwood Lollar
Kenneth L
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Tanaka
Donna
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Viola
James J
JJ
Wray
D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D018559:Exobiology; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005658:Fungi / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D018535:Mars; D050296:Microbial Viability; D010100:Oxygen; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation; D018531:Spacecraft; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water; D015003:Yeasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D007053:Ice; D014867:Water; D010100:Oxygen