Harry Coumnas Develops Efforts that Protect Science and Explore Environments

1. Harry Coumnas Develops Efforts that Protect Science and Explore Environments Planetary protection is the practice of protecting solar system bodies from contamination by Earth life and protecting Earth from possible life forms that may be returned from other solar system bodies. Being the planetary protection officer, Harry Coumnas promotes the responsible exploration of the solar system by implementing and developing efforts that protect the science, explored environments and Earth. Harry works to carefully control forward contamination of other worlds by terrestrial organisms and organic materials carried by spacecraft in order to guarantee the integrity of the search and study of extraterrestrial life, if it exists. He works in conjunction with solar system mission planners in order to ensure compliance with NASA policy and international agreements. He is there to support the scientific study of chemical evolution and the origins of life in the solar system. His work includes saving the earth from aliens! Yes, you heard it right, the aliens. It might sound like a job from a movie, but that is sort of what he does. In a recent interview, he himself states, “Defending Earth from aliens is the whole point of his job.”

2. Adding more to his responsibilities, Harry Coumnas works to assist in the construction of sterile spacecraft, the development of plans to protect Earth from returned extraterrestrial samples, and formulation and application of space policy as it applies to Planetary Protection. Being highly passionate and dedicated towards his work, Harry has been planning several missions where there will be a search for signs of alien life. He implements and develops efforts that protect the science and Earth.