CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is proposing a more cost-effective and expedited method for returning Mars samples, following the substantial rise in the expenses of its initial plan, which soared to $11 billion.
During a presentation on Tuesday, Agency Administrator Bill Nelson outlined this revised approach, just days before he is set to leave his position with the arrival of the new administration.
Nelson indicated that he decided to halt the original sample return strategy several months prior due to escalating costs and an extended timeline that projected a return date beyond 2040.
In light of this, NASA had requested input from industry leaders and other stakeholders last year to devise more efficient alternatives for transporting samples collected in small titanium tubes by the Perseverance rover back to Earth by the 2030s, prior to planned human missions to Mars.
“Our goal is to get back 30 titanium tubes as promptly as possible with minimal expenditure,” stated Nelson.
The space agency is exploring two potential options, each estimated to cost between $6 billion and $7 billion. One of these alternatives would incorporate innovative solutions from commercial partners, while maintaining the same number of spacecraft and launches as initially planned. However, NASA believes these new options would provide a more streamlined process.
A conclusive decision regarding the options is anticipated next year, post completion of engineering studies that will detail each approach. The traditional method would replicate the landing techniques used for Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, employing a rocket-powered platform known as a sky crane. Alternatively, the second option would utilize a landing mechanism developed by private companies, although specifics on this approach were limited in the latest update.
Since its arrival on Mars in 2021, Perseverance has gathered over twenty samples, furthering NASA’s critical quest for evidence of ancient microscopic life. Researchers aim to analyze these samples collected from the historic river delta of the Martian landscape in Earth-based laboratories.
NASA officials highlighted that both proposed strategies would enhance efficiency by cleaning the sample tubes directly on the Martian surface rather than inside the returning spacecraft. Additionally, they plan to shift from solar to nuclear power to withstand the challenges posed by Martian dust storms.
Nelson mentioned that it would ultimately be the responsibility of the incoming administration to determine the best course of action for retrieving Martian samples. He emphasized the necessity for financial resources to be allocated immediately to facilitate the endeavor. President-elect Trump has chosen tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who has flown to space twice funded by his own means, as Nelson’s successor.
“Our intention was to provide them with the most viable options to move forward,” added Nelson.
