NASA Mars Sample Return Delayed Until 2035

On January 22, 2025, Mars will have a conjunction with the star Pollux, marking the second of three such events during its current appearance, following its previous conjunction on October 19, 2024. Meanwhile, NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, critical for understanding Mars's history and potential life, faces significant delays, with sample return now projected for as late as 2039 due to budget constraints and a current price tag of $11 billion deemed 'unacceptable' by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The agency is exploring less expensive options for the project, with a decision expected next year. Additionally, researchers at the University of Colorado are studying Martian dust storms, which can severely affect rovers, to improve forecasting and mission success, noting that warm weather conditions may precede these storms. The findings could help mitigate risks for future missions, given the impact of dust storms observed in past missions like Opportunity. Overall, these developments highlight ongoing challenges and research efforts related to Mars exploration.