Will NASA be able to return Mars samples to Earth? New audit raises doubts

[Admin]

NASA's bold plan to get pristine samples of Mars to Earth for analysis is facing major challenges, according to a new report.

Will NASA be able to return Mars samples to Earth? New audit raises doubts : Read more

 

[steve_foston]

I have a suggestion - why not open this mission up to commercial space based companies participation through a fixed price contract rather than trying to develop the mission in-house by NASA? Maybe SpaceX or Blue Origin can do it cheaper

 

[billslugg]

Fixed price contracts on developmental works are folly. You can't price or schedule development. That's why they call it development. Fixed price contracts with the Government are a sure road to bankruptcy. NASA will change the requirements and micromanage you into the dirt. Not one person at NASA has their fortune tied up in the project. No one will lose a dime if any project fails. They just blame it on the other guy and take the same paycheck.