Planetary Protection Implementation of the InSight Mission Launch Vehicle and Associated Ground Support Hardware.

The InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) Mars mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on an Atlas V 401 rocket on May 5, 2018. Prior to launch, the InSight spacecraft, associated launch vehicle hardware, and ground support equipment were required to satisfy Planetary Protection requirements to comply with international treaty obligations and demonstrate compliance with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) levied bioburden requirements. InSight was the first bioburden-controlled mission to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base and required mission-unique policies and procedures to ensure Planetary Protection requirements were satisfied.

Planetary Protection Implementation on the Interior Exploration Using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport Mission.

The InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) Mars flight system is made up of a cruise stage, an aeroshell, and a Phoenix heritage-based lander that successfully landed in the Elysium Planitia on November 26, 2018. InSight has primary science objectives that are aimed at understanding more about the interior of Mars and the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets. As with previous Mars missions, InSight was obligated to satisfy bioburden requirements and verify compliance with international treaty obligations and National Aeronautics and Space Administration requirements before launch.