NASA showed how samples from Mars will be collected in a recent video. The recovery of the data collected on the red planet will be carried out by a team of spacecraft from NASA and the European Space Agency. The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is unprecedented and collected samples are expected to reach Earth in 2023.
The mission will transmit samples collected on Mars by NASA’s Perseverance rover. It is the size of a car and weighs around 1000 kg. It is equipped with a robotic arm, a drill, cameras and scientific instruments. The robot in addition to exploring Mars is also looking for signs of life. It was launched by the Mars 2020 mission and arrived on the planet in February 2021.
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The MARS mission
The mission that will bring the samples to Earth is complex and the one minute and forty-six second video shows in detail what would need to be done. It starts with an aerodynamically hulled spacecraft heading to Mars. The rover approaches the landing module where it places the samples on board the equipment.
While collecting the samples, the module will launch a rocket into orbit around Mars. It has two stages, the second being ESA’s MSR orbiter. He will be responsible for bringing the collections to Earth.
The video, however, did not show the two ingenious helicopters that could be used in case the rover cannot reach the module. They rely on robotic arms and still need NASA approval.
The mission is expected to launch in 2028 and arrive on Mars in 2031.
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