NASA is leaving the decision on bringing Mars rocks back to Earth up to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration, citing cost-cutting measures that could reduce the mission’s price from $11 billion to less than $8 billion.
The Mars Sample Return effort, which aims to retrieve samples of Martian rock and soil for study, was initially expected to return samples to Earth in 2040. However, NASA officials have revised their plan, making it possible for the mission to launch earlier, with some estimates suggesting a 2030 or 2031 timeframe.
To achieve this, NASA has reduced the size and weight of the mission by tweaking its design. The agency plans to use a smaller rocket to launch samples from Mars into orbit around the planet, eliminating the need for a larger lander. Instead, it will utilize the sky crane system used in previous missions, which successfully deployed the Curiosity and Perseverance robotic rovers.
The revised plan also leaves open the possibility of partnering with commercial companies to provide the lander, which could further reduce costs.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged that while the revised mission is more cost-effective, it still requires significant funding from Congress, estimated at $300 million for this year alone. The agency’s science priorities remain unchanged, and scientists believe that studying fresh Martian rocks up close will help unravel mysteries of the red planet’s past.
While President Trump’s administration will ultimately decide on the mission’s trajectory, NASA officials expressed enthusiasm for the revised plan, citing its potential to bring samples back to Earth sooner while maintaining scientific integrity.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/science/trump-nasa-mars-sample-return.html