Is the US forfeiting its Red Planet leadership to China's Mars Sample Return plan?

[Admin]

"Returning the scientifically selected samples that await us on Mars, as part of a balanced portfolio, will help to ensure the US does not cede leadership in deep space to other nations, such as China."

Is the US forfeiting its Red Planet leadership to China's Mars Sample Return plan? : Read more

 

[George²]

What is done to be claimed that USA have been in leadership position? Is there samples from Mars which was carried with USA vehicles to the Earth? No? That's meant that work doesn't finish. No payment for not done job.

 

[Classical Motion]

I say forget Mars. No reason to go. Go to either the Jupiter system or the Saturn system. 3D plot all the moons of the system with accurate radar for a couple of years. Give it to AI and see if we can come up with a valid gravity equation and description.

Mars is an empty money/time hole. Knowledge is at Jupiter and Saturn systems. And the OORT boneyard.

Hayseed recommendation.

 

[newtons_laws]

Perhaps China's planned Mars sample return mission could simply retrieve the existing samples Perseverence has left in Jezero crater! It saves China having to drill its own samples....