Rocket Lab, a private aerospace company, has challenged NASA’s plans for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, arguing that it can offer a faster and less expensive approach. The company submitted a study to NASA in mid-2024, which proposed a new end-to-end system that would utilize Rocket Lab’s technologies in launch vehicles, spacecraft, and other systems.
The study, similar to one of NASA’s earlier architectures, includes the use of a sample retrieval lander, Mars ascent vehicle rocket, and an Earth return orbiter. However, Rocket Lab claims it can complete the mission for less than $4 billion and as early as 2031, compared to NASA’s estimated cost of between $5.8 billion and $7.7 billion.
Rocket Lab’s vice president, Richard French, stated that the company was “frustrated” with the lack of feedback on their inputs from NASA. He emphasized that Rocket Lab wants to open up the program to a commercial competition, rather than continuing studies. French argued that this approach would bring the schedule in and emphasize commercial innovation.
The Planetary Society also expressed disappointment with NASA’s decision, calling for the incoming Trump administration to expedite a decision on the path forward for the MSR project. They stated that it is time to commit to a path forward to ensure the return of the samples already being collected by the Perseverance rover.
Source: https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-asks-nasa-to-open-up-msr-to-commercial-competition