NASA updates Mars sample return mission plans and cuts costs

NASA is revising its plans to bring Martian rock samples to Earth. The agency has not finalized the mission details, leaving decisions to the incoming administration. The estimated cost has decreased from $11 billion to under $8 billion. The Mars Sample Return mission is still in progress. NASA's Perseverance rover is collecting samples in Jezero Crater. A new robotic spacecraft will retrieve these samples and send them into orbit for collection by another spacecraft from the European Space Agency. NASA officials indicated that a smaller rocket design will help streamline the mission. They expect the new administration to make decisions next year, but Congress needs to approve at least $300 million this year to avoid further delays.