Martian Rock to Return to Earth
NASA Announces New Strategy for Mars Sample Return Program
NASA announced a new dual approach to its Mars Sample Return Program. The announcement, made on Tuesday, outlines plans to simultaneously pursue two landing architectures, fostering competition and innovation while aiming for cost and schedule efficiencies.
The Mars Sample Return Program is designed to deepen our understanding of the Red Planet, investigating whether Mars ever supported life and unlocking the mysteries of our universe. NASA is expected to finalize the program’s design and select a single path forward by the latter half of 2026.“Pursuing two potential paths forward will ensure that NASA is able to bring these samples back from Mars with significant cost and schedule savings compared to the previous plan,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. He emphasized the transformative potential of the samples for our understanding of Mars and humanity itself, acknowledging the efforts of the NASA team and the strategic review team led by Dr. Maria Zuber.
In September 2024, NASA accepted 11 studies from its community and industry experts on optimal methods for returning Martian samples. The Mars Sample Return Strategic Review team was tasked with evaluating these studies and recommending a primary architectural plan, including associated costs and timelines.
“NASA’s rovers are enduring Mars’ harsh environment to collect groundbreaking scientific samples,” said Nicky Fox, head of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “We want to bring those back as quickly as possible to study them in state-of-the-art facilities.” The Mars Sample Return mission aims not only to elucidate the planet’s geological history and climate evolution but also to prepare for future human exploration of Mars.
During the formulation phase, NASA will explore two distinct methods for landing the payload on Mars. The first option will utilize proven entry, descent, and landing systems, such as the sky crane method demonstrated in the Curiosity and Perseverance missions. The second option will leverage new commercial capabilities to deliver the lander payload to the Martian surface.
Both methods will involve a lander platform equipped with a smaller version of the Mars Ascent Vehicle, which is designed to carry sample tubes collected by the Perseverance rover. The new design will replace solar panels with a radioisotope power system, ensuring consistent power and heat during Mars’ dust storm season, thus reducing operational complexity.
The orbiting sample container will hold 30 tubes containing the samples collected by Perseverance. A redesign of the sample loading system aims to simplify the planetary protection processes by preventing dust accumulation on the sample container’s exterior.
Both mission options will rely on a capture and containment system aboard the European Space Agency’s Earth Return Orbiter, which will retrieve the orbiting sample container from Martian orbit. The European Space Agency is currently evaluating NASA’s plans as part of this collaborative effort.
Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS