NASA unveils new plan to reduce costs and time for Mars sample return mission
NASA has proposed a new plan to return rocks and soil from Mars, aiming to reduce costs and time. The original plan had ballooned to $11 billion and was delayed until after 2040. Administrator Bill Nelson announced two options costing between $6 billion and $7 billion. Both options would keep the same number of spacecraft but streamline the mission. The new plans include cleaning sample tubes on Mars and using nuclear power instead of solar to withstand dust storms. A final decision on the approach will be made next year.