Scientists say that bringing stone and soil samples from Mars to Earth could pose a new pandemic risk.
NASA developed Perseverance The (Perseverance) vehicle was launched on July 30, 2020 and landed on the Jezero Crater on the red planet on the night of February 18, 2021.
Perseverance, which will investigate geological processes on Mars, habitability, whether there was life on Mars before, and biological traces, will also collect samples from the surface.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are working together to bring and study samples from rocks and soils on Mars to Earth.
NASA and ESA also plan to launch a ground vehicle on the red planet in 2026 to collect samples collected by the Perseverance rover.
Therefore, samples of Mars, where potentially microorganisms may have lived, will arrive on Earth in the coming years.
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Returning pristine specimens of Mars back to Earth is one of scientists’ biggest dreams.
However, it was founded by a group of scientists who claim that samples taken from Mars pose enormous risks to Earth. International Mars Sample Return Committee(ICAMSR), Dr. Gilbert Levin is not very enthusiastic about this.
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Working as an engineer on NASA’s Viking program that ran from 1975 to 1983, Levin suggested that microorganisms from the red planet could cause a devastating Mars plague pandemic that the Earth was vulnerable to.
Levin, “Even if the samples are brought to Earth in safe containers, there is a possibility that some of the microorganisms will escape from the laboratory where the container will be opened.” said .
On the other hand, ICAMSR Director Barry DiGregorio stated that it is risky to bring samples collected from Mars to Earth and that these samples can be studied at the space station planned to be built in lunar orbit.
However, only laboratories on Earth have advanced equipment to study the geology and history of Mars and carry out all the necessary tests.
However, the European Space Agency says there is currently no urgent need to bring samples collected from Mars to Earth.
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