NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has spotted “potential biosignatures” on the Red Planet, sparking excitement among scientists. However, the agency’s plans for returning samples to Earth for laboratory analysis are in jeopardy due to the Trump administration’s stance.
The $11 billion Mars Sample Return mission was initially rejected by lawmakers, but President Donald Trump wants to cut it from his 2026 budget proposal altogether. The decision could be devastating for scientists who believe that returned samples hold the key to understanding life on Mars.
Experts warn that canceling the mission would hinder our understanding of the solar system and the universe. University of Colorado Boulder senior research scientist Bruce Jakosky stated, “To decide not to return them… would be to take a major step back in exploring the solar system and the universe.”
Instead of returning samples, the Trump administration is investing $1 billion in sending private space companies to Mars. However, this plan remains uncertain, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s track record of delays raising concerns.
China is also making progress in its own Mars exploration efforts, with plans to launch a sample return mission as early as 2028. The United States may be left behind if it fails to secure the samples and gain a better understanding of life on Mars.
Source: https://futurism.com/nasa-signs-life-mars-trump-error