May 23, 2022
On this date in 1965, the Life Sciences Committee of the National Academy of Sciences’ Space Science Board recommended that NASA quarantine all astronauts returning from the moon for at least three weeks. This was suggested to prevent possible contamination of the Earth by extraterrestrial organisms. Although astronauts no longer quarantine upon returning to Earth, they do still quarantine prior to space flight to ensure they aren’t sick or carrying any illness.
President Richard Nixon meets with the returning Apollo 11 astronauts, who were required to quarantine upon their return to Earth. Image credit: NASA