Mars (Photo – nasa.gov)
On Tuesday, January 7, NASA announced a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program in which the agency will simultaneously pursue the formulation of two potential mission architectures, exploring innovative ways to bring the samples back faster and for reduced cost, before selecting a single, final path forward in 2026.
By News Desk
The agency will simultaneously pursue two landing architectures, or strategic plans, during formulation, encouraging competition and innovation, as well as cost and schedule savings.
NASA plans to later select a single path forward for the program, which aims to better understand the mysteries of the universe, and to help determine whether the Red Planet ever hosted life. NASA is expected to confirm the program – and its design – in the second half of 2026.
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), who spoke with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson today and whose district includes JPL and Caltech, released the following statement:
“As a steadfast champion of Caltech and JPL and strong supporter of the Mars Sample Return program as our nation’s highest planetary science priority, I am incredibly encouraged by NASA’s announcement today to move forward with the mission to bring home these important samples from Mars. I am equally encouraged by Administrator Nelson and NASA’s recognition that JPL is NASA’s Mars Center and will continue to play a leadership role in the mission regardless which of the two architectures is ultimately selected in 2026.
While I welcome efforts to improve innovation and industry partnerships on Mars Sample Return, it is clear that JPL—with its world-class facility, expert staff, and successful track record in solar system exploration and Mars landings—will be essential to this mission. I remain dedicated to working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues in Congress and with the incoming NASA Administrator to guarantee adequate funding in 2025 and beyond for Mars Sample Return. By fully supporting Mars Sample Return, we will protect our nation’s vital space workforce, stay on pace to bring these samples back, and continue to promote the kinds of groundbreaking scientific discovery and technological innovation that JPL and the United States have been on the frontlines of for decades.”
Both mission options rely on a capture, containment and return system aboard ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) Earth Return Orbiter to capture the orbiting sample container in Mars orbit. ESA is evaluating NASA’s plan.
The Mars Sample Return mission is led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is owned by NASA and administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
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