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dWintermut3 t1_j5xt71k wrote

Reply to comment by BaldBear_13 in Why do sample return missions such as OSIRIS-REx use their own reentry vehicles instead of just going to the space station for pickup and return with ISS equipment? by PromptCritical725

NASA has a specialist for that actually, with the most badass job title in history of "planetary protection officer".

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SirCB85 t1_j5xv9yr wrote

Wait, my understanding of their job description was that they actually responsible for making sure WE don't contaminate let's say Mars before we are really really really sure that us contaminating it doesn't destroy any indigenous life we might like to study before we annihilate it?

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dWintermut3 t1_j5xw7in wrote

yes, that's a very important job of the PPO. but my understanding is as the staff's highest-ranked microbiologist control of potential alien lifeform risks to earth is also in their purview.

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b33r_engineer t1_j5yifcj wrote

That’s what they want you to think, yes…

(It’s also true, but they do both)

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BaldBear_13 t1_j5yi0tj wrote

are they issued a flamethrower? A cool suit? A memory wipe device?

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