William Elliot wrote on Wed, 27 Jun 2018 20:02:01
-0700:

On Wed, 27 Jun 2018, Fred J. McCall wrote:

Then why are they sterilizing landers?

Because they don't want cross contamination on their instruments.

Do they also sterilize satellites?
Actually, yes. And build them in 'clean rooms'.

For what reason? Sensitive instruments?


Because you don't want things growing on your expensive satellite that
you can't get up to clean.

As for the moon, did they sterilize the suits used for moon walks?
Yes.

Why?


Which part of 'prevent cross contamination' is it that is confusing
you?

Did the moon lander or the moon walkers expell any air while on the
moon?

What for? Certainly not to avoid cross
contamination on their instruments.


What the hell are you asking about?

The lander probably did, since you had to evacuate the lander to get
out. The moon walkers, no. And the air would have been fairly
sterile.

--
"Some people get lost in thought because it's such unfamiliar
territory."
--G. Behn