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NASA delays Mars Sample Return decision to 2026

astronomy.com — January 8, 2025 at 05:01 AM UTC

NASA has delayed its decision on the Mars Sample Return mission until mid-2026. The agency is considering two options: one using proven technology and another involving commercial partners. This extends the timeline for returning samples to Earth, now expected in the 2030s. The Perseverance rover has collected 28 samples from Mars, but the mission faces budget challenges, with costs exceeding $6 billion. NASA aims to simplify the mission, with the sky crane option costing between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion, while the commercial option ranges from $5.8 billion to $7.1 billion. NASA plans to redesign the landing platform and improve the sample loading system. The earliest launch for the Earth Return Orbiter is now set for 2030, with the sample return lander potentially launching in 2031.

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Timeline:

[5.4]

NASA updates Mars sample return mission plans and cuts costs (sltrib.com)

64d 1h

[5.3]

NASA cancels $11 billion Mars sample return plan and unveils new options (businessinsider.com)

64d 14h

[4.6]

NASA delays Mars Sample Return decision until new administration takes office (arstechnica.com)

64d 19h

[5.1]

NASA unveils new plan to return Mars samples at lower cost and faster pace (courant.com)

64d 19h

[4.7]

NASA to choose Mars sample return method by late 2026 after budget review (japanese.engadget.com)

65d 0h

[4.5]

NASA unveils new plan to reduce costs and time for Mars sample return mission (cnbctv18.com)

65d 7h

[4.7]

NASA unveils new plan to return Mars samples by 2030 under $7 billion budget (thehindu.com)

65d 9h

[4.6]

NASA delays Mars Sample Return decision to 2026 (astronomy.com)

65d 10h

[4.9]

NASA outlines cost-effective strategies for Mars sample return mission (aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org)

65d 11h

[5.2]

NASA updates Mars sample return plan to cut costs and complexity (nbcnews.com)

65d 11h

[4.6]

NASA unveils new plan to reduce costs and time for Mars sample return mission (triblive.com)

65d 14h

[4.5]

NASA explores options for Mars rock retrieval as competition with China intensifies (sciencealert.com)

65d 14h

[4.9]

NASA develops two plans to return Mars samples as costs rise (gizmodo.com)

65d 15h

[4.9]

NASA explores two methods for returning Mars samples over next 18 months (spacenews.com)

65d 16h

[5.0]

NASA unveils new plan to return Mars samples faster and cheaper (theglobeandmail.com)

65d 18h

[4.5]

NASA selects two options for revised Mars Sample Return mission (orlandosentinel.com)

65d 18h

[3.9]

NASA to reveal updates on Mars Sample Return mission plans (sciencealert.com)

66d 14h

[4.1]

NASA to update public on Mars Sample Return mission challenges tomorrow (iflscience.com)

66d 19h

[3.9]

NASA to update Mars Sample Return mission plans on January 7 (gizmodo.com)

66d 23h