NASA Reassesses Mars Sample Return Mission to Cut Costs and Expedite Sample Collection

NASA has announced that it is refocusing its efforts on the Mars Sample Return mission after an independent review suggested that the original plans could cost as much as $11 billion. The agency is now exploring two alternative options that aim to reduce costs and accelerate the timeline for returning samples from Mars to Earth. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson outlined the new approach during a press briefing on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of finding a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

Option One: A Streamlined Approach

The first option involves utilizing the proven "sky crane" landing system, which has successfully delivered NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers to the Martian surface. This updated plan proposes a smaller sample collection spacecraft, a more compact rocket to boost the samples into orbit around Mars, and the collaboration of a European Space Agency spacecraft to capture and transport the samples back to Earth.

This approach is designed to be less technologically challenging than the original mission architecture, which was deemed too costly and projected to extend the sample return timeline to the 2040s. The estimated cost for Option One ranges between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion, with the potential to bring the samples back to Earth as early as 2035 or as late as 2039, contingent upon congressional funding.

Option Two: Leveraging Private Sector Expertise

The second option presented by NASA involves engaging private sector companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, or other key players to provide a "heavy" Mars landing craft capable of delivering both the sample collection spacecraft and the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) to the surface. This MAV would be responsible for launching the collected samples into orbit, where they would then be captured by the European Space Agency spacecraft for the return journey to Earth.

Similar to Option One, this alternative also envisions the sample collection spacecraft relying on a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) instead of solar panels, ensuring functionality despite sunlight-blocking dust storms and maintaining the solid propellant in the MAV at an optimal temperature. The projected timeframe for sample return remains within the mid- to late 2030s for both options.

Strategic Decision-Making

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the significance of exploring these two potential options and the importance of making an informed decision regarding the direction of the Mars Sample Return mission. He indicated that the final decision on which option to pursue is likely to be made in 2026, following thorough engineering assessments and evaluations.

Nelson highlighted the need for bipartisan support for the mission and expressed his intention to present the incoming administration with multiple viable alternatives. He underlined the meticulous and methodical approach of the NASA-led effort to select samples from various layers of the Martian terrain, contrasting it with the more abrupt and expedient nature of a planned Chinese mission.

Budget Considerations

Addressing the financial aspects of the Mars Sample Return mission, Nelson noted the ongoing deliberations in the Senate and the House regarding budget allocations for the project. He stated that the Senate is currently budgeting $200 million for the mission's development in NASA's fiscal 2025 budget, while the House has proposed $600 million. Regardless of the final agreed-upon amount, Nelson emphasized the necessity of securing at least $300 million in the final budget to ensure the continued progress of the mission.

Furthermore, he underscored the potential need for increased funding in subsequent fiscal years to expedite the timeline for the sample return, indicating that more than $300 million may be required annually to achieve this objective.

Conclusions from the Independent Review

The decision to reevaluate the Mars Sample Return mission was prompted by the findings of an independent review board in September 2023. The board concluded that the original multi-spacecraft sample return mission could incur costs as high as $10.9 billion, significantly exceeding initial projections by $4 billion to $5 billion. The review also indicated that even at this elevated price point, the mission would likely be delayed, with samples not expected to return to Earth before 2040.

In light of these assessments, NASA took the initiative to "pull the plug" on the original plans and sought innovative ideas from agency engineers, researchers, and the private sector to develop alternative mission designs that would be more economical and time-efficient.

Addressing Challenges

Originally intended to be the most complex robotic planetary science mission ever attempted, the Mars Sample Return mission entailed the development of a new sample retrieval lander, the utilization of small helicopters to aid in sample collection, and the deployment of a powerful solid-fuel rocket to launch the gathered samples into Mars orbit. The plan also included the participation of the European Space Agency to facilitate the return of the sample container to Earth for comprehensive laboratory analysis.

However, as of September 2023, an independent review board determined that the original project was unfeasible within the existing budget constraints, unrealistic timelines, and an inadequate management structure to ensure the successful launch of the spacecraft. The review panel projected that the mission would not be able to commence before 2030 and estimated potential costs ranging from $8.4 billion to $10.9 billion, depending on the final mission architecture.

The Road Ahead

Despite the challenges and setbacks, NASA remains committed to advancing the Mars Sample Return mission and is actively exploring alternative strategies to achieve its objectives. The agency recognizes the significance of returning samples from Mars, as they hold the potential to provide invaluable insights into the planet's history, geology, and the possibility of past microbial life.

As NASA embarks on this new phase of the Mars Sample Return mission, the agency is determined to ensure that the selected approach aligns with both budgetary and timeline considerations while maximizing the scientific returns from the endeavor. The decision-making process is set to unfold over the coming years, with the aim of finalizing the selected option in 2026, paving the way for the next steps in the mission's implementation.