Microbiological contamination assessment from drilling activities - recognition and design of prevention strategy

The search for traces of extinct and extant life combined with sub-surface sampling on Mars will be investigated for the first time in ExoMars Exploration Mission. Sub-surface sampling will be addressed using a robotic drill that will minimize the risk of forward contamination. Hence the risks associated with drill contamination must be addressed. This paper describes contamination assessment related to dry drilling activities in Terrestrial Martian analogues.