NASA Revises Mars Sample Return Mission with Two New Options

The updated plans aim to cut costs, simplify logistics, and return Martian samples to Earth by the mid-to-late 2030s.

NASA has abandoned its original Mars Sample Return plan due to cost overruns and timeline delays, which projected a $11 billion budget and a 2040 sample return date.
The agency is now exploring two alternatives: a NASA-developed 'sky crane' landing system or a heavy-lift lander provided by commercial partners like SpaceX or Blue Origin.
Both options involve a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle and a redesigned sample retrieval platform powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator for improved efficiency.
The revised mission could return Martian samples as early as 2035, with costs estimated between $5.8 billion and $7.7 billion depending on the chosen approach.
NASA plans to finalize its decision in 2026, while emphasizing the scientific importance of the mission and addressing competition from China's planned Mars sample return by 2031.