NASA's Innovative Approach to Bringing Martian Samples to Earth amidst Fiscal Challenges

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NASA is currently looking for creative solutions to assist in retrieving samples collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars in upcoming missions.

The rover, which touched down on Mars in February 2021, has been collecting samples from Jezero Crater, where there was once an ancient lake and river delta. Scientists hope that studying these samples will provide insights into the possibility of past life on Mars.

The original plan for the Mars Sample Return program, a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency, was quite intricate. It involved a series of missions launching from Earth to Mars to gather samples, followed by the first-ever rocket launch from another planet's surface to bring the samples back to Earth.

An illustration shows a concept for multiple robots that would team up to ferry to Earth samples collected by NASA's Mars Perseverance rover.

An illustration shows a concept for multiple robots that would team up to ferry to Earth samples collected by NASA's Mars Perseverance rover.

There have been concerns about the Mars sample return program being too unwieldy due to its complexity, expense, and a delayed return date. Originally, the return was expected to happen by 2031 but has been pushed back after assessments by an independent review board. Budget cuts that have impacted NASA have also put the program at risk.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, gave an update on the agency’s response to the independent review board. According to Nelson, reviews suggest that the Mars Sample return mission should aim to stay within a budget range of $5 billion to $7 billion.

However, NASA is facing challenges due to budget cuts for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, resulting in a $2.5 billion reduction. This has put pressure on the agency to manage within limited financial resources.

"Mars Sample Return will be a highly challenging mission for NASA. The estimated $11 billion budget is considered too costly, and the planned return date of 2040 is deemed too distant," Nelson expressed. "The task of safely landing on Mars, collecting samples, launching a rocket from another planet for the first time, and then transporting the samples over 33 million miles back to Earth is incredibly complex. We must think creatively to find a more cost-effective solution that also brings the samples back within a reasonable timeframe."

Nelson stressed that waiting until 2040 to bring the samples back to Earth is not acceptable, especially since the 2040s are when NASA plans to land astronauts on Mars. This was emphasized during a press conference held on Monday.

Less budget, rising costs impact Mars Sample Return

An $11 billion price tag for the program would cause NASA to cannibalize other science programs and missions, Nelson said.

NASA is planning several important missions to explore our solar system. These missions include the NEO Surveyor to find asteroids that could be a danger to Earth, Dragonfly to study the habitability of Saturn's moon Titan, and DAVINCI and VERITAS to uncover the mysteries of Venus.

Although there is hope for more science funding in the future, the current budget constraints pose a challenge for NASA's plans for Mars Sample Return.

So, the space agency is opening up a call for help.

Innovation and trusted technology

Agency officials will be announcing upcoming opportunities for NASA centers and industry to collaborate on a new plan that blends innovation with proven technology, as shared by Fox. NASA is aiming for a sample-return mission in the 2030s that is simpler, more cost-effective, and lower in risk.

According to Nelson, proposals will be requested promptly, and the agency anticipates having solutions on the optimal way to bring back samples from Mars by autumn.

West of Valles Marineris lies a checkerboard named Noctis Labyrinthus, which formed when the Martian crust stretched and fractured. This image is from NASA Mars Odyssey, one of an All Star set.

Located to the west of Valles Marineris is a region known as Noctis Labyrinthus, which got its unique checkerboard pattern from the stretching and fracturing of the Martian crust. This particular image was captured by NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft, which is part of a collection of impressive images from the mission.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

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The main goal of the proposals is to bring back the 30 carefully selected samples collected by the Perseverance rover from various locations, according to Fox.

"Mars is really important to us," Fox explained. "It's one of the few places where life could have existed. However, we might need to reduce the number of samples to speed up the process."

According to Fox, the new plan for Mars Sample Return will specify the types of samples that we want to bring back to Earth.

Nelson emphasized the importance of returning the samples as a national objective. He also highlighted that NASA wants to continue the program because it is crucial, especially as the agency plans to send astronauts to Mars in the future.

Meanwhile, according to Fox, the decisions being made will not impact the scientific plan for Perseverance's mission on Mars. The rover will still be able to collect samples as it explores the crater rim.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on the future of the mission.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located in Pasadena, California, is responsible for overseeing the Perseverance rover mission and various exploration projects on Mars.

Efforts for the return program were in progress at JPL when layoffs occurred in February due to budget cuts. The design of the new architecture for the sample return mission will shape the extent of JPL's management involvement, according to Nelson.

The European Space Agency has been a key player in the development of the program. Fox mentioned that the agency is still actively engaged in discussions regarding the program's future.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, Fox is proposing a budget request of $200 million. This funding will support the evaluation of alternative architectures by NASA, allowing for the continuation of planetary science activities at JPL and other NASA centers.

"We use our years of experience in running large missions and take into account feedback from independent reviews to plan a mission of this scale," Fox explained. "Our upcoming actions will pave the way for this groundbreaking mission and lead to groundbreaking scientific discoveries from Mars. These discoveries will offer valuable new information about the history and development of Mars, our solar system, and life on our planet."

Editor's P/S:

NASA's Mars Sample Return program is facing challenges due to budget cuts and complexity. The agency is seeking creative solutions to retrieve samples collected by the Perseverance rover in a more cost-effective and timely manner. The goal is to bring back samples from Jezero Crater, where there was once an ancient lake and river delta, to study the possibility of past life on Mars. The program is crucial for understanding the history and development of our solar system and life on Earth.

The new plan for Mars Sample Return will specify the types of samples to be brought back to Earth, and it may involve reducing the number of samples to speed up the process. NASA is also seeking collaboration with industry and academia to find innovative solutions that blend proven technology with new ideas. The European Space Agency remains actively engaged in discussions regarding the program's future. The focus remains on the future of the mission, with a budget request of $200 million proposed for fiscal year 2025 to support the evaluation of alternative architectures and continue planetary science activities.