NASA Procedures and Guidelines
This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used. Check the NODIS Library to access the current version: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
NPR 8020.12D Eff. Date: April 20, 2011 Cancellation Date:	Planetary Protection Provisions for Robotic Extraterrestrial Missions
| TOC | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | AppdendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | ALL |

Appendix A. Definitions

A.1 Assay (also referred to as "bioassay"). Any activities related to gathering of microbial data through the use of appropriate sampling techniques (swabs, wipes or other approved methods)to obtain microbial samples in order to estimate the number or types of microorganisms associated with an item of interest.

A.2 Constraints. Bounding conditions governing aspects of the implementation of planetary protection requirements.

A.3 Encapsulated (or Embedded) Bioburden. Microbial burden buried inside nonmetallic spacecraft material.

A.4 Exposed Surfaces. Those surfaces whose microbial burden will likely reach a planetary environment following the nominal landing of a spacecraft. For dry heat considerations, a surface that is free for gas exchange.

A.5 Mated Surfaces. Surfaces joined by fasteners rather than by adhesive.

A.6 Microbial Barrier or Biobarrier. A means to protect a spacecraft or associated component(s) against microbial recontamination following the application of microbial reduction procedures.

A.7 Microbial Bioburden (also referred to as "Biological Burden" or "Bioburden"). The level of microbial contamination (total number of microbes, spores and nonheat shocked, or microbial density) in or on an item of interest.

A.8 Microbial Monitoring. The collection, analysis, and associated activities that are performed to verify the biological condition of an item of interest.

A.9 Microbial Reduction (also referred to as "Bioburden Reduction"). Any activities designed to remove or destroy microbes that are performed in order to reduce microbial burden levels on or in an item of interest.

A.10 Organics Archive. A stored collection of bulk organic constituents (materials) of all launched hardware.

A.11 Organics Inventory. An itemized list of bulk organic materials used in launched hardware.

A.12 Planet (or "Target Body"). As used in this document, the term includes major planets, planet satellites, and other solar system objects that may be of scientific interest.

A.13 Planetary Protection. The protection of a planet from terrestrial contaminants and the protection of the Earth's biosphere from potentially harmful extraterrestrial material.

A.14 Spore (or endospore). A structure formed by the actively growing (vegetative)stage of some bacteria that is able to remain viable under extremely harsh environmental (heat, dryness, radiation) conditions and, when the environment improves, once again actively grow and proliferate. As used in this document and in the appropriate requirements and specifications, spore refers to a heat shock surviving microbe culturable in the NASA standard assay.

A.15 Sterilization. As used in this document, the process of actively reducing the microbial burden on flight hardware so that the hardware is nearly free (consistent with the appropriate specifications) of all living microorganisms.

A.16 Terminal Sterilization. A final sterilization process applied to the entire spacecraft system.

A.17 Total Bioburden. Total of exposed, mated, and encapsulated microbial burden.

A.18 Verification Assay. A microbiological assay performed as requested and directed by the PPO to verify compliance with planetary protection requirements.

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