No Protocols for Alien Life: Apollo Astronauts and Lunar Microbes

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, with the iconic words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," the scientific community had a task at hand to understand the possibility of alien life on the moon. This raises a common question: were there any on-board procedures set in place for the Apollo mission astronauts if they encountered any form of alien life?

No Specific Protocols for Alien Life

The answer to the question is straightforward. According to historical records and testimonies from NASA officials, there were no explicit protocols in place specifically for the case of alien life being encountered on the moon. Astronauts knew that the likelihood of finding intelligent extraterrestrials was negligible given the current scientific understanding of solar system’s geography. The primary focus of the missions was on scientific exploration and the return of lunar samples. However, there were some precautions taken in relation to the existence of microbes.

Precautions for Microbial Contamination

Due to the potential, albeit remote, risk of lunar microbes, NASA did implement some precautions. Following the Apollo 11, 12, and 14 missions, the astronauts were kept in medical isolation for several weeks. This was done to rule out the possibility of any infectious agents they might have encountered during their mission. However, after the extensive tests turned up negative, these precautions were discontinued for the remaining Apollo missions, starting with the Apollo 15 mission in 1971.

Russian Astronauts and Their Precautions

It's interesting to note that Russian astronauts do carry firearms in specific situations. However, this is primarily for dealing with terrestrial life or in non-secured areas. If the astronauts encountered extraterrestrial beings, they would need to report back to their control center, which would be in close communication with them. These control centers are usually no more than a few seconds away, making rapid coordination possible.

The Scientific Understanding Behind the Lack of Protocols

The fact that there were no specific protocols for alien life can be attributed to the scientific understanding of the time. The Moon is known to be a geologically inactive and airless environment, with a dearth of water. This makes it highly unlikely for any life, let alone intelligent life, to exist on the Moon. Even though the concept of lunar life has been scientifically dismissed, it's still an intriguing and captivating question that captures the public's imagination.

It is important to remember that the primary mission of the Apollo astronauts was to explore the Moon, gather scientific data, and bring back samples. The measures taken were cautious and scientifically justified, but the expectation of encountering alien life was always on the fringes of what was realistically possible.