NASA Awards $1.5 Million Contracts for Mars Sample Return Proposals
Seven companies selected to explore innovative, cost-effective methods for returning Martian samples to Earth.
- Selected firms include SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin.
- NASA seeks less complex, more affordable mission designs.
- Proposals aim to enhance the Mars Sample Return architecture.
- Studies will be completed and assessed by October.
- The initiative follows concerns over the original $11 billion plan.
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