NASA cancels $11 billion Mars sample return plan and unveils new options

businessinsider.com

NASA has canceled its $11 billion plan to return Mars samples by 2040 due to rising costs and delays. The agency now has two new, faster, and cheaper options that could bring samples back by 2035 for about $5.8 billion. The Perseverance rover is collecting rocks that may show signs of ancient microbial life. NASA's new plan involves using existing technology or partnering with commercial companies to simplify the mission and reduce costs. NASA aims to select one of the new options by 2026, but funding from the incoming Trump administration will be necessary to proceed. The agency needs $300 million for initial engineering work in fiscal year 2025.


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