Forward contamination refers to the unintentional transfer of Earth-based organisms to other celestial bodies, which can compromise the integrity of astrobiological research and planetary environments. This term is critical in ensuring that missions to explore other planets, particularly Mars, do not introduce Earth life that could interfere with the search for extraterrestrial life or disrupt the native ecosystems. Effective measures are needed to prevent forward contamination during sample return missions and when planning future explorations.
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