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Goddard Engineering and Technology Directorate

Planetary Protection Flight Facility

Planetary Protection Flight Facility wide angle shot of the east side of the facility. Photograph shows biosafety cabinet, incubation equipment, including water baths, a large scale sonicator, two incubators, and colony counter
Planetary Protection Flight Facility wide angle shot of the east side of the facility. Photograph shows biosafety cabinet, incubation equipment, including water baths, a large scale sonicator, two incubators, and colony counter

Advanced Microbial Analysis for Planetary Protection in Spacecraft and Cleanroom Environments

The Planetary Protection Facility at Goddard Space Flight Center conducts low biomass sampling and cultivation methods of microorganisms common to cleanroom and spacecraft manufacturing environments. Specifically, culture-based methods for spore-forming microorganisms as well as non-culture based analyses of microorganisms common to cleanroom environments or other low-biomass environments. These methods are most commonly used at NASA for bioassay sampling on spacecraft where planetary protection (PP) requirements must be met according to the mission category requirements set forth by the NASA Headquarters Office of Planetary Protection. By using this facility, partners can assess their bioburden requirements for ensuring mission success and adherence to NASA documentation.

Planetary Protection Flight Facility wide angle shot of the west side of the facility. Photograph shows biological test equipment, including autoclaves, sequencer, analytical balance, on a series of benches and tables. There are also shelves stocked with consumables, a two pan sink and refrigerator
Planetary Protection Flight Facility wide angle shot of the west side of the facility. Photograph shows biological test equipment, including autoclaves, sequencer, analytical balance, on a series of benches and tables. There are also shelves stocked with consumables, a two pan sink and refrigerator