2026 Preprint Calls for COSPAR Expansion to Block Terraforming Destruction of Mars Cryosphere
Turbet's preprint reframes Mars terraforming as irreversible scientific heritage destruction and identifies a clear gap in existing planetary protection rules. It synthesizes Sagan's historical precedent with current Mars ice-core data to argue for expanded regulations before private missions advance atmospheric modification.
Next steps include proposed COSPAR workshops in 2027-2028 to draft non-biological protection categories. Without binding enforcement, private actors could bypass recommendations, repeating the pattern seen in unregulated satellite mega-constellations. Formal treaty amendments would require state consensus unlikely before 2035.
Turbet: COSPAR will table non-biological protection amendments by 2028 if at least two private Mars atmospheric experiments are announced.
Sources (3)
- [1]Primary Source(https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.35937)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://cosparhq.cnes.fr/planetary-protection/)
- [3]Supporting Source(https://science.nasa.gov/mars/resources/mars-polar-science/)