Cape Canaveral, Fla: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled a more affordable and efficient way to bring rocks and soil back from Mars. This plan comes after the cost of their original proposal skyrocketed to $11 billion (NZ$19.5 billion). The new approach promises a quicker timeline and reduced expenses, making it a more practical option for future space exploration.
Bill Nelson, NASA's Administrator, presented this revised plan just before stepping down from his position in two weeks, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Nelson explained that he had decided to cancel the initial Mars sample return mission due to its increasing costs and the delayed timeline, which would have pushed the return of samples to Earth beyond 2040.
The space agency is now considering two potential options, each estimated to cost around $7 billion (NZ$12.4 billion). These plans include partnering with commercial entities to streamline the mission while keeping the number of spacecraft and launches the same.
Since landing on Mars in 2021, the Perseverance rover has gathered over 20 samples, and more are expected. These samples are crucial for NASA's high-priority search for signs of ancient microscopic life on Mars. Scientists are eager to bring the samples back to Earth to study them in labs, particularly from Mars' long-dry river delta, which could reveal important clues about the planet's past.
Both of NASA's new proposals aim to simplify the mission. For instance, sample tubes would be cleaned directly on the Martian surface rather than within the spacecraft on its journey back to Earth. Additionally, the plans suggest switching from solar power to nuclear power, which would better withstand the harsh Martian dust storms.
Nelson emphasized that the incoming administration will have the final say on how to proceed with retrieving the Mars samples, but the need for funding is urgent. President-elect Trump's nominee for NASA Administrator, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, is known for his private space flights, having funded his own trips to orbit.
Last year, NASA reached out to industry leaders, scientists, and experts from various fields to gather innovative ideas and solutions aimed at enhancing the Mars Sample Return mission. The agency's primary goal is to ensure that the samples collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars will safely make their way back to Earth by the 2030s. This mission is crucial, as it aims to bring back Martian soil and rock samples that will provide invaluable insights into the planet's history, climate, and potential for life. NASA also aims to achieve this milestone ahead of any planned human missions to Mars, setting the stage for further exploration and scientific discovery in the coming decades. By collaborating with experts across industries, NASA hopes to develop cutting-edge technologies and strategies that will overcome the challenges of interplanetary sample collection, storage, and transport.