Kathmandu: NASA is revising its ambitious plan to return rocks and soil from Mars after its original proposal ballooned to an estimated $11 billion. Bill Nelson, NASA’s Administrator, presented a new, more cost-effective approach on Tuesday, just weeks before his tenure ends. The updated plan aims to ensure the timely return of samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been gathering Martian soil in titanium tubes since 2021.
Nelson stated that the original plan, with costs rising and no return expected before 2040, was no longer viable, prompting the agency to “pull the plug.” Instead, NASA is considering two alternative strategies, both projected to cost between $6 billion and $7 billion. These options include innovative designs from commercial partners and streamlined operations to cut costs while maintaining the number of spacecraft and launches required.
The updated mission could rely on either a traditional landing system, using the same sky crane method that delivered Perseverance and Curiosity rovers to Mars, or a new approach developed by private companies, though details on the latter remain sparse. A final decision is expected next year, following in-depth engineering studies.
One of the key changes in the revised plan is the decision to clean the sample tubes on Mars before they are sent back to Earth. This eliminates the need for cleaning in the returning spacecraft and reduces complexity. Additionally, the mission would switch from solar to nuclear power to ensure operations can continue during Martian dust storms, a known challenge.
Nelson emphasized that the incoming administration would have the final say on which option to pursue and urged for immediate funding to be allocated to ensure the mission’s success. Trump’s nominee for NASA Administrator, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, will be tasked with overseeing the continuation of this critical mission. Nelson expressed confidence that the new options would provide a solid foundation for the next steps in the Mars exploration program.
Source: AP