NASA has revised its approach to the mission aimed at returning Martian soil samples collected by the Perseverance rover. The original plan, scheduled for launch in 2026 and return in 2031, proved too costly and complex, with the budget ballooning from $5 billion to $11 billion. The agency now plans to implement changes that could complete the mission in the 2030s at a reduced cost of $6–7 billion.
The samples, gathered from the Jezero Crater, have been sealed by Perseverance in capsules, some of which were deposited on the Martian surface. The initial concept involved launching four spacecraft: an orbital satellite, a stationary platform, a rover, and a small rocket. These components were designed to work together to retrieve the capsules, send them into orbit, and bring them back to Earth. However, the high cost and complexity of this plan, combined with upcoming crewed missions, necessitated a re-evaluation.
To reduce expenses, NASA proposes leveraging the proven Sky Crane system, which successfully landed the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. The landing module would replace solar panels with a radioisotope thermoelectric generator capable of functioning in all weather conditions. Additionally, the rocket for lifting the samples would be downsized, and the sample-loading mechanism simplified.
These adjustments aim to lower costs while accelerating the mission timeline, preserving the historic significance of delivering the first Martian soil samples to Earth.
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