COSPAR: A probabilistic approach to planetary protection
Funder
UK Space Agency
Value
Value to Coventry University: £24,401
Total value: £1.04 million
Team
Duration
8 June 2023 to 31 March 2025
Project overview
This project offers an opportunity to update the international COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection and will develop international leadership in planetary protection. The proposed probability approach, using Bayesian statistics, offers an opportunity to define a transparent and responsible process that advances planetary protection standards and practices to enable future missions.
Project objectives
To address the knowledge gaps and the constraints of the mathematical models needed to update and modernise the guidelines.
It will also aim to influence COSPAR international policy on planetary protection, which will continue to review this approach as a plausible alternative to bioburden limits to enable the next generation of missions.
Impact statement
The outcomes will be a maximally robust and comprehensive statistical framework that can be used to produce a planetary protection method fit for the future.
Outputs
Publications, policy updates and conference abstracts.
A high profile event will take place in London in spring 2024 funded by an extension to this project.
