ESA Planetary Protection Handbook available
The ESA Independent Safety Office (TEC-QI) is honoured to announce the publication of the first ESA Planetary Protection Handbook (PP HB), ESSB-HB-U-006, Iss. 1.
“This document marks another milestone in ESA’s planetary protection vision, as outlined in Technology 2040. It aims to make verification more transparent and embed planetary protection more firmly within project teams.” says Silvio Sinibaldi, ESA Planetary Protection Officer. “Planetary protection is not ‘black magic’; it is part of the systems engineering trade-off and included throughout mission development from the early project phases through verification of requirements, launch and mission operations.” Silvio continues.
The Handbook provides guidelines on verification methods and possible implementation measures in support of ESA Projects to facilitate compliance with the ESA Planetary Protection (PP) requirements and policy. The document has been prepared by the ESA Planetary Protection Working Group, convened and coordinated by the ESA Planetary Protection Officer, and involving experts from relevant disciplines in the ESA Technical, Engineering and Quality (TEC) Directorate, ESA Operations (OPS), Human and Robotic Explorations (HRE) and Science (SCI) Directorates.
+Airbus UK personnel appraisal in biologically controlled cleanrooms during ExoMars rover assembly, integration and launch operations. Credit Airbus(UK)
+TASI Turin personnel appraisal in biologically controlled cleanrooms during ExoMars rover assembly, integration and launch operations. Credit: TASI Turin
“This handbook describes the analyses, approaches, and documentation used to demonstrate compliance with ESA Planetary Protection requirements. It also supports the transition from purely prescriptive approaches to risk-informed decision-making frameworks, which are widely used across all safety and mission assurance disciplines in my office,” says Paloma Villar, Head of the Independent Safety Office TEC-QI.
The PP HB is intended for ESA projects and their partners, including commercial and private entities, as well as ESA Directors, Project Managers, Study Managers, Mission Managers, Product Assurance and Safety Managers, System Engineers, and planetary protection practitioners involved in the design or operation of space systems subject to ESA Planetary Protection requirements.
+Rosalind Franklin Rover, former ExoMars wheels. Credit Airbus (UK)
“Planetary protection enables space exploration while safeguarding science and our investment in space. With this first handbook, we aim to offer practical options and solutions and prepare for increasingly complex future missions. Our goal is to support more frequent access to space in a sustainable and responsible way,” - reiterates Silvio.
The Planetary Protection Handbook is intended as both a living document and a tutorial, with periodic updates planned as scientific knowledge and methodologies evolve.
See the first version of the PP Handbook here. Contact the ESA Planetary Protection Officer Silvio.Sinibaldi for any questions about the Handbook.
More information about Planetary Protection activities at ESA can be found here.