1. Overview
Planetary protection is the practice of preventing biological contamination of celestial bodies by Earth life (forward contamination) and of Earth by extraterrestrial material (backward contamination). OrbitExSpace Inc. ("OrbitExSpace", "we", "us") recognizes planetary protection as a scientific and ethical obligation. Our current work is terrestrial; this page sets out the commitments we will apply when our programs reach other bodies.
2. Forward Contamination Control
For any future mission to a body of biological interest — Mars, the icy moons, or others — we will implement forward-contamination controls consistent with the COSPAR planetary protection guidelines and any requirements imposed by the responsible authority. This includes cleanliness of the flight system, documentation of the microbial burden, and verification that the system meets its allocated contamination budget.
3. Backward Contamination and Sample Return
If we ever participate in returning material from another body to Earth, we will do so under a sample-return safety protocol that contains the returned material and protects the public and the environment. We will not return material without an agreed containment and handling protocol, and we will work with the relevant authorities to ensure that any return is conducted safely.
4. Extraterrestrial Materials Handling
Any extraterrestrial material we handle — whether from sample return, meteorites, or analogue sources — will be handled under documented procedures that protect the integrity of the sample, the safety of personnel, and the protection of the environment. We will not distribute extraterrestrial material without verifying that the recipient is authorized and equipped to handle it.
5. Analogue Testing
Our current analogue field testing takes place on Earth and is not subject to planetary-protection requirements. We apply standard contamination control appropriate to hardware development, and we use analogue sites responsibly, minimizing environmental impact and respecting applicable land-use and conservation rules.
6. Status of These Commitments
The commitments on this page are forward-looking. They describe the framework we will apply when our work reaches bodies or samples subject to planetary-protection requirements. They are not representations that any current activity is governed by these requirements, nor that any such mission is approved or imminent.
7. Contact
OrbitExSpace Inc.
Los Angeles, California
planetary-protection@orbitexspace.com
Legal & Compliance Contact — legal@orbitexspace.com
This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a representation of certification, accreditation, registration, Government approval, contract status, or authorization. OrbitExSpace programs are in development. Statements regarding FAR/DFARS, ITAR, EAR, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, or other frameworks apply only where applicable and as required by contract or law.
OrbitExSpace Inc.