NASA will announce update to Mars sample return plans on Jan. 7. Here's how to listen in

[Admin]

NASA's beleaguered Mars Sample Return program currently faces extreme costs of up to $11 billion and a timeline that could reach 2040.

NASA will announce update to Mars sample return plans on Jan. 7. Here's how to listen in : Read more

 

[danR]

"NASA would likely not be able to return Perseverance's samples to Earth until 2040, a full 20 years after the rover first launched to Mars."

Time to escape a sunk cost fallacy here. There's no need to bring any samples home. Drop the entire project and contract with SpaceX for a fresh collection and an in situ remote lab analysis. They will not only be able to do that long before 2040, they will need to do that themselves before establishing boots on the ground for a Mars base.

 

[Rob77]

"NASA would likely not be able to return Perseverance's samples to Earth until 2040, a full 20 years after the rover first launched to Mars."

Time to escape a sunk cost fallacy here. There's no need to bring any samples home. Drop the entire project and contract with SpaceX for a fresh collection and an in situ remote lab analysis. They will not only be able to do that long before 2040, they will need to do that themselves before establishing boots on the ground for a Mars base.

My thoughts exactly. The project funds would be better suited to an actual manned exploration.