Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma Sterilization Process Qualification for Space Application

In order to comply with the Planetary Protection requirements and in order to prevent the biological contamination of Mars, sterilization means have been implemented by the common Russian / French team for the Mars 96 mission. Implementations included the utilization of the hydrogen peroxide gas plasma process (Sterrad 100^® - Johnson § Johnson Medical) in order to sterilize equipment of the Mars landers and penetrators.

This paper will describe all procedures and tests results coming from the qualification program, including:

• the biological validation of the sterilization cycle,
• the material validation tests results (effect on several metal alloys, electronic parts, organic materials, ….etc)
• the sterilization procedure used for space equipment,
• the list of space devices coming from the landers payload which have been qualified.