NASA Proposes New Strategies for Mars Sample Return

NASA is advancing two new strategies for its Mars Sample Return mission, aiming to bring samples back to Earth by the mid-2030s. This shift follows delays and cost overruns of the original plan, which was projected to cost $11 billion. The new approaches, which involve the sky crane method used successfully for previous rover landings and potential partnerships with commercial companies like SpaceX, are estimated to cost between $5.5 billion and $7.7 billion. NASA plans to finalize its decision on the strategies by mid-2026 while the Perseverance rover continues to collect samples from Jezero Crater. The return of these samples is crucial for understanding the geological history of Mars and assessing its past potential for life. Additionally, Rocket Lab has proposed a separate, faster, and cheaper option for sample return, challenging NASA's plans.