To maximize the chances of success in bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA on Tuesday announced a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program. . The agency pursues two landing architectures, or strategic plans, simultaneously during development to foster competition and innovation and create cost and schedule savings.
NASA will later choose a single path forward for the program, which aims to better understand the mysteries of the universe and help determine whether life existed on Mars. NASA plans to confirm the program and its design in late 2026.
“By pursuing two potential paths forward, NASA can bring these samples back from Mars with significant cost and schedule savings compared to previous plans,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. Probably.” “These samples have the potential to change the way we understand Mars, the universe, and ultimately ourselves. We thank the team at NASA and the Strategic Review Team led by Dr. Maria Zuber for their work. I would like to.”
In September 2024, the agency accepted 11 studies from the NASA community and industry on how best to bring Mars samples back to Earth. The Mars Sample Return Strategic Review team was tasked with evaluating the research and recommending the primary architecture for the campaign, including associated cost and schedule estimates.
“NASA’s spacecraft are enduring the harsh environment of Mars to collect groundbreaking scientific samples,” said Nicki Fox, who heads NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “We want to bring them back as soon as possible and study them in state-of-the-art facilities. Mars sample return will allow scientists to discover the geological history of this barren planet, where life may have existed in the past. It will help us understand climate evolution and shed light on the early solar system before life began on Earth. It will also prepare us to safely send the first human explorers to Mars. ”
During development, NASA will explore and evaluate two different means of landing a payload platform on Mars. The first option leverages previously flown entry, descent, and landing system designs, namely the sky crane method demonstrated on the Curiosity and Perseverance missions. The second option leverages new commercial capabilities to deliver the lander’s payload to the surface of Mars.
In both potential options, the mission’s landing platform would carry a smaller version of the Mars Ascent Vehicle. The platform’s solar panels will be replaced with a radioisotope power system that can provide power and heat throughout the Martian sandstorm season, allowing for reduced complexity.
The orbiting sample container will hold 30 sample tubes containing samples collected from the surface of Mars by the Perseverance lander. A redesign of the lander’s sample loading system, which places samples in orbital sample containers, eliminates dust buildup on the outside of the sample containers and simplifies the implementation of rear planetary protection.
Both mission options rely on the Capture, Containment, and Return System aboard the European Space Agency’s Earth Return Orbiter to capture a sample container orbiting Mars. ESA is evaluating NASA’s plan.
Learn more about NASA’s Mars exploration below.
https://www.nasa.gov/mars
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Mayra Bernstein / Dwayne Washington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
meira.b.bernstein@nasa.gov / dewayne.a.washington@nasa.gov
