Delays and cost drive NASA's revamped Mars sample mission
NASA has announced potential plans to recover rock samples from Mars. Scientists aim to investigate whether there is extraterrestrial life on the Red Planet. Bringing back the Perseverance rover, which has been collecting materials from the bottom of a Martian lake since 2021, presents a challenge.
The recovery of Martian samples was initially planned for 2033. However, delays and rising costs have prompted the space agency to reconsider their timeline. By 2026, the agency will decide on one of two landing strategies to facilitate further study of these valuable samples.
Samples from the bottom of a mysterious lake will help scientists
The bottom of an ancient Martian lake may hold many mysteries. Rocks from this location could provide new information about potential life on Mars, but NASA is still determining how to effectively deliver these samples for further analysis.
The initial plan to return samples from Mars assumed the Perseverance rover would collect them by 2033. In a statement released on January 7th, the agency announced that it is now considering two alternative landing strategies to allow for sample retrieval. The final decision on which strategy will be chosen is set for 2026.
"Pursuing two potential paths forward will ensure that NASA is able to bring these samples back from Mars with significant cost and schedule saving compared to the previous plan. These samples have the potential to change the way we understand Mars, our universe, and – ultimately – ourselves," reads a statement from NASA administrator Bill Nelson.
We will find out if extraterrestrial life exists on Mars
For centuries, people have gazed with curiosity at the Red Planet, yet despite cosmic exploration, we still know little about life on Mars. If extraterrestrial life ever existed there, the Perseverance rover might have already found signs of it in the bed of Jezero Crater. Until NASA brings the samples back, we won't truly know what secrets they hold. The program initially cost 7 billion dollars USD (9.9 billion Canadian dollars), but the mission's price has risen to 11 billion (15.5 billion Canadian dollars), slowing the project. This price increase was expected to delay it to 2040, but the agency has announced a program review.
Scenarios for sample recovery
The first proposal is based on a proven landing system that uses a rocket-powered sky crane and cables to precisely lower the lander. This method was used by NASA when landing the Perseverance rover on Mars, with the cost of this option estimated at 7-8 billion dollars USD (9.9-11 billion Canadian dollars).
The agency's second idea is to use modern commercial solutions offered by the private sector, with a projected price ranging between 6-8 billion dollars USD (8.5-11 billion Canadian dollars). NASA has chosen not to disclose details of this second option to protect technology and projects.
No matter which strategy NASA chooses, the landing system will use a modified version of the Mars Ascent Vehicle, which will transport the rock samples to Mars' orbit. With the help of the Earth Return Orbiter, developed by the European Space Agency, the samples will ultimately be brought back to Earth. The launch of this spacecraft is planned for 2027 at the earliest.
