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NASA updates Mars sample return plan to cut costs and complexity

nbcnews.com — January 8, 2025 at 04:02 AM UTC

NASA has revised its Mars Sample Return Program to reduce costs and complexity. The agency will now explore two new options for retrieving samples from Mars, aiming to bring them back to Earth by 2035 or 2039. The original plan involved a complex lander with helicopters to collect samples, but this has been scrapped. Instead, NASA will consider a landing method similar to its previous rover missions or collaborate with private companies for a new lander. NASA's budget for the project has increased significantly, prompting these changes. The new options are expected to cost between $5.8 billion and $7.7 billion. The mission aims to enhance understanding of Mars' history and prepare for future human exploration.

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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