Independent Review Deems NASA’s Mars Sample Return Mission Unworkable
An independent review of NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission (MSR) has concluded that the program is currently unworkable due to unrealistic budget and schedule expectations. The review, led by retired NASA deputy center director Orlando Figueroa, found that the launch of the mission, originally planned for 2028 with a budget of $4.4 billion, is not feasible.
According to the review board, the earliest possible launch date for the MSR mission is 2030, with a budget between $8 billion and $11 billion. The report states that the MSR program was established with unrealistic expectations from the beginning, and the current lack of a credible technical, cost, and schedule baseline adds to the challenges. The report echoes concerns raised by scientists, including former NASA science chief Thomas Zurbuchen, that the high cost of the Mars Sample Return mission could divert funding from other important science missions.
NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission aims to return rocks and soil samples from Mars to Earth for scientific study. The plan involves a Sample Retriever Lander, the Perseverance rover, a Mars Ascent Vehicle, and an Earth return orbiter. The rover would collect samples and deliver them to the lander, which would launch the samples into Martian orbit. The Earth return orbiter would then retrieve the samples and bring them back to Earth.
Returning samples from Mars is of significant scientific importance, as it could provide valuable insights into the planet’s geological history and the potential existence of past life. The report emphasizes that Mars Sample Return is a critical next step in Mars exploration and a highly requested mission by the scientific community.
The report also notes the importance of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) leading in space exploration as a form of soft power. With China’s plans to launch its own Mars sample return mission, the report highlights the need for the US to maintain its scientific leadership in Mars exploration.
The independent review highlights several problems that NASA must address, including better engagement with the planetary science community, clarifying the mission’s prioritization and status, and dispelling the notion that canceling the Mars Sample Return mission would free up funds for other projects. The report also suggests directing the Perseverance rover to explore areas beyond Jezero Crater to maximize the chance of finding samples that may contain evidence of life.
NASA has responded to the report’s findings by announcing its own review, which aims to provide a recommendation by March 2024 on the path forward for Mars Sample Return. The agency acknowledges the need to revamp its plans, focusing on cost reduction, establishing a realistic timeline, and maximizing the scientific potential of the mission.