Eli5: If creatures such as tardigrades can survive in extreme conditions such as the vacuum of space and deep under water, how can astronauts and other space flight companies be confident in their means of decontamination after missions and returning to earth?

Question

My initial post was related to more of bacteria or organisms on space suits or moon walks and then flown back to earth in the comfort of a shuttle.

In: Biology

Answer 1

They can’t. However the planetary protection treaty doesn’t require you to do this.
The reason we haven’t been the the frozen moons of Jupiter or the glaciers of Mars is due to our lack of decontamination. We visit other places where we think life doesn’t exist.