Current methodologies for maintaining planetary protection (PP) during space missions are often complex, resource-intensive, and involve high-mass biobarrier assemblies. SHIELD seeks to address these challenges by offering a scalable, in-situ sterilization system that enforces robust PP protocols without necessitating a full external biobarrier. This is particularly vital for missions classified under Category IV, which involve direct interaction with the Martian surface, and Category V, which include Earth return missions requiring stringent containment of any hardware or samples that have contacted the target body.

SHIELD comprises three primary systems:

1. Pneumatics: Utilizes pressurized air to remove Martian dust and foreign object debris (FOD) from surfaces, thereby enhancing the efficacy of subsequent sterilization processes.


2. UV Sterilization: Employs UVC light generated from UV LEDs to significantly reduce microbial presence, maintaining biological cleanliness within a specified germicidal wavelength range.


3. Heat Sterilization: Applies controlled thermal treatment to further diminish microbial load while preserving the functionality and scientific integrity of the hardware. For backward planetary protection, lower temperature ranges are preferred to avoid compromising returned samples.

The SHIELD system is currently advancing toward Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 through MatISSE funding, with rigorous validation conducted in Martian-relevant environments.