NASA to reveal updates on Mars Sample Return mission plans
NASA will announce updates on the Mars Sample Return mission on January 7, 2025. The mission, which began with the Perseverance rover in 2021, aims to bring Martian rock samples back to Earth. The mission faced challenges in 2023 due to budget cuts and structural issues. A review found the program had unrealistic expectations, leading to layoffs and concerns about its future. In April 2024, NASA confirmed the mission was still active and sought ways to reduce costs and expedite the timeline. A new team was formed to assess the mission's future, with findings expected during the upcoming announcement.