NASA is looking for solutions to reduce the times and costs of Mars Sample Return (MSR).
Mrs will have the task of collect and bring back to Earth a series of samples of Martian surface material, collected by the rover Perseverancewith the aim of identifying any traces of life present or passed on Red Planet.
To complete this complex mission and level the playing field, NASA has combined its efforts with those of ESA. Specifically, NASA commissioned a study to evaluate the future of the program. From this analysis it emerged that the mission, as it is now planned, would cost between 8 and 11 billion dollars. This sum would have to be integrated into the general budget that the agency has allocated for the sector and this would lead to a delay in the sample return phase, from the beginning of the next decade to 2040.
To look for a solution, NASA has recently published a call for formulation of proposals able to provide alternative solutions at lower costs.
The proposals must be delivered by May 17th and the agency will put available immediately after a series of contracts for research funding.
With these studies, NASA aims to improve the basic architecture of Mars Sample Return. In detail, the new plans include the launch of theEarth Return Orbiter developed by ESA in 2030, slightly later than currently initially expected.
Following, in 2035, it will be the turn of Sample Retrieval Lander (Srl) and del Mars Ascent Vehicle (Mav), while the arrival of the champions ashore is expected in 2040.
The plan is for Perseverance to complete exploration of the terrain around Jezero Crater in 2028. Once achieved its final location, the rover should enter one state of quiescence until the Sample Retrieval Lander arrives.
Lori Glaze, director of the agency’s planetary science division, said that NASA will be committed to finding an additional 200 million dollars for the mission which should be allocated within the “Planetary Decadal Future” line, already present in the budget. In this way it would not be necessary to resort to withdrawing funds that would have to be used for other missions dedicated to the exploration of the Solar System.
Opening photo: artistic representation of the phases of the Mars Sample Return mission. Credit: NASA
