NASA Cancels $11 Billion Mars Sample Return Mission, Seeks $300 Million for New Plan in 2025

Jan 7, 2025, 06:07 PM

NASA has announced the cancellation of the original Mars Sample Return mission, which was projected to cost $11 billion and return samples in 2040. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the mission's cost and timeline were unacceptable, leading to the decision to explore new designs for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. Two new options are being considered: one using the previously tested Skycrane technology, estimated to cost between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion, and another involving commercial heavy lift vehicles, ranging from $5.8 billion to $7.1 billion. NASA aims to return the samples collected by the Perseverance rover in the 2030s, with a potential return as early as 2035. The agency is seeking at least $300 million in funding for fiscal year 2025 to start the new plan, with a decision expected in 2026. The samples are considered crucial for understanding Mars' geological history and potential for past life.