NASA Calls for Alternative Plans to Return Mars Samples Sooner and Cheaper
NASA is looking for new ideas from industry players to streamline and expedite the return of rock samples from Mars as part of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. The space agency has faced challenges with the current budget and timeline for the mission, prompting the search for a more cost-effective and timely alternative plan.
Originally projected to cost $7 billion and return samples by the 2030s, the MSR mission now requires $11 billion and is estimated to bring back samples by 2040. This budget increase and timeline extension have led NASA to seek innovative solutions to complete the mission sooner and at a lower cost.
“We are looking at innovative possibilities that could return samples sooner and at a lower cost,” said Nicky Fox, managing associate of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “This is certainly a very ambitious goal, and we are going to need to look at some very innovative new possibilities for a design.”
The independent review board (IRB) described the MSR mission as “highly constrained and challenging,” with unrealistic budget and schedule expectations. In response to the IRB’s findings, NASA formed a response team to address the issues and reevaluate the mission’s architecture.
To secure the necessary funding for the MSR mission, NASA received $822.3 million in the 2023 spending bill and requested $949.3 million for the project in its 2024 budget proposal. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that an additional $250 million is needed in the current fiscal year and another $250 million in 2024 to ensure the mission stays on track for a 2028 launch.
Despite financial challenges, NASA remains committed to the MSR mission and views it as a crucial step in planning future human missions to Mars. The agency will release a call for proposals on Tuesday, with a deadline of May 17, to seek alternative plans for the mission. NASA aims to select a partner for the MSR mission by the fall and utilize proven technology to reduce risks, costs, and development time.
As NASA continues to explore new frontiers in space exploration, the MSR mission represents a significant milestone in the quest to understand the Red Planet and pave the way for human exploration beyond Earth.