= Interplanetary contamination
{wiki=Interplanetary_contamination}
Interplanetary contamination refers to the transfer of biological materials, such as microorganisms, between celestial bodies within our solar system, typically as a result of space exploration activities. This phenomenon is of significant concern for several reasons: 1. **Planetary Protection**: Space missions to other planets (like Mars, Europa, or other potentially habitable environments) must consider the risk of Earth organisms contaminating these environments, which could interfere with scientific investigations.
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