NASA Explores Cost-Effective and Accelerated Methods to Retrieve Mars Samples by 2030's

Science & Technology Science

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-01-15 11:49:22 |

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NASA has unveiled two revised strategies to retrieve critical samples from Mars, targeting a return by the 2030s.

These alternatives aim to simplify the original Mars Sample Return program, a joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA). The initial plan, estimated to cost up to $11 billion, was deemed overly complex and expensive by an independent review. It also projected a delayed timeline, with samples expected to return between 2031 and 2040—a delay NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called “simply unacceptable.”

The updated strategies propose returning the samples between 2035 and 2039 at a significantly reduced cost of $5.5 billion to $7.7 billion.

Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, stated, “We are considering two new landing approaches—one utilizing the proven technology from the Perseverance and Curiosity rover landings, and another leveraging innovative commercial capabilities from industry partners.”

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