NASA is looking for ways to get samples from Mars more economically

2024-04-16 06:55:00
The Perseverance rover is working on collecting samples in Jezero Crater, Mars. (REUTERS/File)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has officially communicated its intention to review and redefine the central elements of its ambitious “Mars Sample Return” (MSR) mission, which aims to collect and return samples from Mars to Earth. The space agency’s recent announcements reveal an active search for more economical and efficient approaches to the development of this mission, in response to current budget constraints and recommendations from independent reviews.

As reported by CNN, the Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, has been collecting specimens in the Jezero crater, a site of particular scientific interest for having hosted an ancient lake and a river delta. The mission initially contemplated a complex design involving the deployment of multiple missions between Earth and Mars, including the historic launch of a rocket from the Martian surface to bring samples back to Earth.

NASA announces review of the MSR mission in search of efficiency and cost reduction. (POT)

The Associated Press details that cost projections for the MSR mission have increased significantly, estimating total expenditure ranging between USD 8 billion and USD 11 billion, with a return date expected in the year 2040. This scenario has led to the NASA to ask the scientific community and the space industry for innovative proposals that will speed up the process and reduce the costs associated with the mission.

Reuters adds to the conversation by pointing out that NASA has planned to invite its different centers and laboratories, as well as private entities, to present alternative plans that prioritize innovation without giving up the lessons learned from already proven technologies. The intention is to maintain the scientific soundness of the project without sacrificing other important research programs.

According to information provided by ABC News, the review of the MSR mission also responds to concerns about the long waiting period that moving forward according to the original plan would entail. The aim is to avoid waiting until the 2040s for the return of the samples, a period in which it is also planned to begin human exploration of the red planet.

Costs of the Mars Sample Return mission estimated between USD 8,000 and 11,000 million. (Europa Press)

NASA, through an official statement, has stated that these samples will not only contribute to better understanding the formation and evolution of our solar system but will also be key to preparing future manned missions and searching for signs of ancient life on Mars. This effort represents, according to the agency, one of the most complex and significant projects ever undertaken.

Faced with current technological and financial challenges, NASA is at an important turning point in its mission to return samples from Mars. The space agency remains committed to its long-term scientific goals, while exploring innovative avenues to ensure the success of one of its most emblematic projects.

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