Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The escalating pace of space exploration has ushered in a new era reminiscent of the space race of the 1960s. However, the discourse on exogeoconservation—the protection of geological heritage—now demands a prominent place in decision‐making processes. This paper underscores the urgency of developing research frameworks, legal regimes, and best practices to ensure sustainable and responsible exploration of extraterrestrial environments. The scientific community holds a pivotal role in quantifying the significance of these environments, safeguard the invaluable heritage of celestial bodies while allowing for responsible resource utilization, and prevent the consequences of unchecked exploration. From the point of view of the geosciences, there is an urgent need to develop tools to allow the identification of geological heritage on celestial bodies, filling a fundamental scientific gap required to establish effective exogeoconservation practices.
DOI: 10.1029/2025je009409
Author: B. De Toffoli
Institution: University of Padua
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W7119489953