NASA proposes cheaper, faster Mars sample return mission, with costs cut by up to $5 billion.

NASA is proposing a more affordable and faster plan to retrieve rock samples from Mars collected by the Perseverance rover. The original mission was estimated to cost $11 billion but the new plans aim to reduce costs to between $6 billion and $7 billion. Two options are being considered: one using a "sky crane" landing system and the other involving commercial partners like SpaceX. Both aim to return the samples to Earth by 2035. The final decision on the mission plan will be made by the incoming administration.

2 months ago
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