NASA’s Bold Quest: Choosing the Perfect Landing Spot for Martian Samples!

To enhance the likelihood of successfully returning the first Martian rock and sediment specimens to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA declared on Tuesday a new strategy for its Mars Sample Return Program. The agency will concurrently pursue two landing strategies, promoting competition and innovation, along with cost and scheduling efficiencies.

NASA intends to subsequently select a singular course forward for the initiative, which seeks to deepen understanding of the enigmas of the universe and to ascertain whether the red planet ever supported life. NASA is anticipated to confirm the program—and its design—in the latter half of 2026.

“Chasing two prospective paths will ensure that NASA can recover these specimens from Mars with noteworthy cost and scheduling improvements compared to the previous outline,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “These specimens possess the potential to transform our understanding of Mars, our universe, and—ultimately—our own existence. I would like to express my gratitude to the team at NASA and the strategic review team, led by Dr. Maria Zuber, for their contributions.”

In September 2024, the agency accepted 11 studies from the NASA community and industry regarding how to optimally return Martian specimens to Earth. A Mars Sample Return Strategic Review team was tasked with evaluating the studies and subsequently recommending a primary strategy for the campaign, including related cost and schedule assessments.

“NASA’s rovers are enduring the extreme conditions of Mars to gather pioneering scientific samples,” remarked Nicky Fox, who directs NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “We aim to return those as swiftly as possible to examine them in state-of-the-art facilities. Mars Sample Return will enable scientists to comprehend the planet’s geological history and the climate’s evolution on this desolate world where life might have thrived in the past, shedding light on the early solar system before life emerged on Earth. This will also equip us to safely send the first human explorers to Mars.”

During formulation, NASA will continue exploring and assessing two separate methods for landing the payload platform on Mars. The first option will utilize previously flown entry, descent, and landing system designs, particularly the sky crane technique, which was demonstrated with the Curiosity and Perseverance missions. The second option will take advantage of new commercial capabilities to deliver the lander payload to the Martian surface.

For both potential options, the mission’s landed platform will carry a reduced version of the Mars Ascent Vehicle. The platform’s solar panels will be replaced with a radioisotope power system that can provide energy and warmth throughout the dust storm season on Mars, simplifying complexity.

The orbiting sample container will store 30 of the sample tubes containing specimens that the Perseverance lander has been collecting from the Martian surface. A redesign of the sample loading mechanism on the lander, which will transfer the samples into the orbiting sample container, simplifies the backward planetary protection implementation by preventing dust accumulation on the outer surface of the sample container.

Both mission alternatives depend on a capture, containment, and return system aboard ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) Earth Return Orbiter to seize the orbiting sample container in Mars orbit. ESA is reviewing NASA’s strategy.