NASA is poised to announce today the future direction of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) initiative, which, as the name implies, aims to bring back samples of rocks and soil from the Red Planet.
Rovers deployed on Mars have been assigned the task of gathering these samples. Throughout their exploration on the alien terrain, they have unearthed numerous intriguing rocks and soil that warrant closer examination. For instance, Perseverance, one of the rovers, collected a sample of a rock that holds promise for uncovering traces of ancient microbial life.
“In essence, this particular rock is precisely what we were hoping to discover when we chose to explore Jezero Crater,” remarked Ken Farley, the project scientist for Perseverance at Caltech. “Nearly all the minerals present in the rock we just analyzed were formed in water; here on Earth, minerals deposited by water are often adept at capturing and preserving ancient organic material and signs of life. The composition of the rock can also provide insights into the climate conditions of Mars at the time of its formation.”
Preliminary examinations indicate that the rock originated from an ancient lake.
However, while valuable information can be gleaned from the onboard instruments of Perseverance and similar missions, the samples must ultimately be brought back to Earth for a more comprehensive study of Mars’s ancient climate, geology, and the quest for evidence of past life forms.
The process of returning these samples is no small feat. Despite the successful deployment of robots and probes on Mars, the challenge lies in launching from the surface of another planet—a task that has never been attempted before. Following this groundbreaking endeavor, the Mars Sample Return mission will entail the rendezvous of the sample with a spacecraft that will facilitate its journey back to Earth.
If the thought of the endeavor’s cost crossed your mind, you are not alone in your concern, as highlighted in the Independent Review Board (IRB) report from September 2023. The report pointed out that the project was “initiated with unrealistic budget and timeline expectations from the outset.” While acknowledging the scientific significance of the mission, the review board expressed doubts about the readiness of various mission components for the scheduled 2028 launch, citing technical challenges and risks.
“Independent review boards, like the one we engaged for the Mars Sample Return, play a crucial role in evaluating our progress towards achieving mission objectives within the allocated budget,” stated Sandra Connelly, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for science, in response to the report’s findings. “We appreciate the board’s assessment, and now our task is to review the report and address any necessary adjustments to the program.”
NASA is preparing an official response to the report, set to be unveiled soon, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate, slated to provide insights during the update. While specifics regarding the response remain scarce, given the nature of large-scale space projects, it may be prudent to anticipate potential project delays or adjustments to timelines.