NASA has large goals for Mars . It wants to collect thefirst - ever samplesfrom the Martian surface and extradite them back to Earth in an challenging commission foretell Mars Sample Return . But even in its development phase , the delegation hasrun into problems . With a ballooning budget and unrealistic time frame , NASA adjudicate last year that it require a fresh approach to the missionary station , and now it has announced an update . It ’s working on two idea , with the best to be choose in 2026 .
“ Pursuing two potential paths fore will ensure that NASA is able to bring these samples back from Mars with significant cost and docket saving compare to the previous program , ” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson . “ These sample have the potential to alter the way we understand Mars , our universe , and – ultimately – ourselves . I ’d wish to give thanks the squad at NASA and the strategical review team , led by Dr. Maria Zuber , for their study . ”
Getting a sampling back from Mars is exceedingly slick . Although the Perseverance scouter has already pull together and sealed a bunch of sampling and leave them at a depot on the Martian control surface , getting them back to Earth will require a difficult series of maneuver , including some thing that have never been attempted before , such as launching a Eruca vesicaria sativa from the surface of another planet .
That means that the lander for the delegacy will have to sway a meaning amount of muckle , and landing a with child mass on Mars is tricky because the lean atmosphere does n’t provide much resistance for parachutes . One access NASA is considering for the landing place portion of the mission is to expend a system similar to that used for landing the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers , call asky Hart Crane . The other option is to use a commercially develop lander , look to companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop their own ideas .
In either case , the deputation ’s launch vehicle , call the Mars Ascent Vehicle , will have to be smaller than antecedently planned . It will also use a nuclear big businessman system rather of solar panels , which should simplify its military operation even in stale condition .
“ NASA ’s rovers are enduring Mars ’ rough environment to collect earth - breaking skill sampling , ” say Nicky Fox , who leave NASA ’s Science Mission Directorate . “ We want to bring those back as rapidly as potential to hit the books them in state - of - the - art readiness . Mars Sample Return will admit scientists to realize the satellite ’s geologic story and the phylogeny of climate on this barren planet where biography may have existed in the past and drop light on the other solar system before biography start here on Earth . This will also prepare us to safely send the first human explorers to Mars . ”
