This article details the current plans, including Rocket Lab’s collaborative effort with NASA and ESA, and NASA’s two proposals: the Sky Crane Method and the Commercial Heavy-Lift Option, with decisions expected in 2026 and returns targeted for the 2030s.
MSR Mission Profiles
The Rocket Lab Plan
The mission is a collaborative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), with Rocket Lab contributing through its innovative approach to space technology.
(Image: Rocket Lab)
Phases of the Mission:
Sample Collection: Samples are already being collected by Perseverance in Jezero Crater.
Sample Retrieval: A lander will be sent to Mars to collect these samples.
Sample Launch: A Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) will launch the samples into Mars orbit.
Return to Earth: The samples will be captured by an ESA orbiter, which will then return them to Earth.
Sample arrives back on Earth by 2031.
The NASA Plan
Here is a summary of the two proposals for NASA's Mars Sample Return program.
(Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
Sky Crane Method:
Delivered by NASA.
Uses the proven sky crane landing system.
Cost: $6.6-$7.7 billion.
Involves a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) with radioisotope power.
Commercial Heavy-Lift Option:
Delivered by commercial entities like SpaceX or Blue Origin.
Utilizes new commercial heavy-lift capabilities.
Cost: $5.8-$7.1 billion.
Also includes a MAV with radioisotope power.
The final decision on which method to employ is expected to be made in 2026, with samples arriving back on Earth by 2030s.
Apart from the cost of these missions, they all fail to deliver a return time before they are made redundant by other missions like humanoid robots or people on Mars by 2029.
Next Article . . .
Part 3 of this MSR series will look at kiwithinker simple, more timely alternative mission option.
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