[iampherocity]

I don't understand why we're doing this. They will eventually be contaminated in the next 500 years and that's not long evolutionarily speaking. As tech becomes cheaper and the third world starts breaking into the "modern era", we'll have more failed satellites embedded in the sides of every moon in the solar system. And NASA legitimately struggles to make these devoid of life. An exuberant little nation punching a little above its weight category certainly won't.

[icebraining]

That still means we have 500 years to find legitimate non-terrestrial life.

[pm90]

Exactly. Also, In 500 years, it may be possible/economical to sterilize large bodies before sending them to outer space.

I think its a good idea that NASA (and other space agencies) are so careful about this. I wouldn't want any life (or the traces of past life) to be wiped out by organisms from earth.