NASA Revamps Mars Sample Return Mission to Reduce Costs and Accelerate Timeline
NASA Revamps Mars Sample Return Mission to Reduce Costs and Accelerate Timeline
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NASA has significantly overhauled its plan to bring samples from Mars back to Earth. The original Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission faced challenges due to high costs and long timelines. The mission, initially estimated to cost between $8 billion and $11 billion, was not expected to return samples until 2040, which was deemed unacceptable by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.To address these issues, NASA has explored two primary options for the mission:
Sky Crane Landing Method: This method involves using a heat shield and parachute for the initial descent, followed by retrorockets to lower the vehicle to the surface. This approach was successfully used for the Perseverance and Curiosity missions. The estimated cost for this option is between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion.
Both options aim to simplify the mission, reduce costs, and expedite the return of samples. The decision on which method to use will be made by mid-2026.
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NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, has been collecting samples in sealed titanium tubes. The rover will continue to collect samples until it has gathered 30 in total. The next phase of the mission involves launching a Sample Retrieval Lander in 2028, which will carry a NASA-led Mars rocket and small Mars helicopters. The helicopters will serve as backups in case Perseverance is unable to deliver the samples to the lander.The mission will also involve an Earth Return Orbiter provided by the European Space Agency (ESA). This orbiter will capture the sample capsule, propel itself out of Mars’ orbit, and carry the samples back to Earth. The samples are expected to return between 2035 and 2039.NASA's goal with the MSR mission is to understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate, and potentially discover signs of past life. The samples collected by Perseverance are seen as crucial for future scientific investigations, including those using technologies yet to be invented.
