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NASA to choose Mars sample return method by late 2026 after budget review

japanese.engadget.com — January 8, 2025 at 03:01 PM UTC

NASA will evaluate two options for returning soil samples from Mars, with a decision expected in late 2026. The program was paused after a review revealed costs could reach $11 billion, significantly over budget. The first option is a "sky crane" method, similar to previous rover landings. The second involves collaboration with commercial space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Both methods will use a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle to transport samples to orbit. Costs for the new options are lower, estimated between $5.8 billion and $7.7 billion. The samples are expected to return to Earth between 2035 and 2039, aiding research on potential life and safety for future missions.

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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