NASA unveils new plan to return Mars samples faster and cheaper
NASA has proposed a new plan to return rocks and soil from Mars that is cheaper and faster than the original plan, which had costs rising to $11 billion. Administrator Bill Nelson announced this change due to unacceptable delays. The revised plan aims to bring samples back to Earth in the 2030s, ahead of future astronaut missions. NASA is considering two options, each costing around $7 billion, which would streamline the mission while keeping the same number of spacecraft and launches. Nelson stated that the decision on the final plan will be made next year by the incoming administration. He has been replaced by Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire and space traveler.