NASA is set to announce its recommendations for the future of the Mars Sample Return mission, which has faced several challenges in recent years. The mission, which began with the deployment of the Perseverance rover in February 2021, aims to collect samples of Martian rock that will be returned to Earth by another mission.
Last year, a review found that the Mars Sample Return mission had unrealistic budget and schedule expectations, as well as an unwieldy structure that was not effectively led. This led to budget cuts and reduced spending on the mission, resulting in layoffs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. There were concerns that the mission may be cancelled, leaving the samples collected by Perseverance stranded on Mars.
However, NASA’s upcoming announcement provides hope for the future of the mission. The agency states that Mars Sample Return is a long-term goal of international planetary exploration and is crucial for understanding the geological history and climate evolution of Mars, as well as preparing for future human exploration. The return of samples will also aid in the search for signs of ancient life on Mars.
The current plan for the Mars Sample Return mission includes an orbiter launching in 2027, a lander launching in 2028, and pristine Mars samples returning to Earth in 2033. It is hoped that NASA’s new recommendations will help keep the mission on track to meet these timelines and ensure that valuable samples are brought back to Earth for further study.
