The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is an ambitious NASA-ESA joint campaign to bring back rock, dust, and atmospheric samples from Mars to Earth for detailed analysis. MSR aims to address key questions about Mars’ potential to harbor life and provide insights into planetary evolution and conditions for habitability.
Overview and Objectives
MSR will take place over several launches spanning this decade. It builds on the work of the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance rover which has been collecting and caching rock samples in Jezero crater since its landing in February 2021.
The first step will be launching the Sample Retrieval Lander and Mars Ascent Vehicle in 2028 to land near Perseverance. Then in 2030, the lander will deliver the Mars Ascent Vehicle rocket and two small helicopters to the site. The helicopters will either carry the sample tubes to the lander or Perseverance will drive to the lander and deliver them directly. The samples will be loaded into the Mars Ascent Vehicle payload which will carry them into Mars orbit.
An Earth Return Orbiter built by ESA will capture the orbiting sample container in 2031 and transfer it into an Earth entry vehicle which will be released on a course for Earth in 2033. Finally, the entry vehicle will land in Utah after a carefully planned entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The samples will then be transported to special containment facilities for initial inspection and distribution to scientists around the world.
Key mission objectives include:
- Demonstrate capability to package samples on Mars and return them safely to Earth
- Enable detailed chemical and physical analysis of Mars material too complex for in-situ robotic investigation
- Understand Mars as a geological system and potential habitat
- Investigate planetary processes relevant to past habitability and life
Mission Architecture
The baseline architecture consists of three main elements working in sequence to collect, launch, capture and return the samples to Earth:
1. Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover – Landed in Jezero crater in 2021 and has collected 14 of 30 total samples to date. The samples were taken from the crater floor and delta region after analyzing rocks for signs of ancient microbial life.
2. Sample Retrieval Lander and Mars Ascent Vehicle – Planned for launch in 2028 and landing in 2030. Carries the Sample Fetch Rovers, transfer robotic arm, and rocket to launch samples off Mars surface and into orbit.
3. Earth Return Orbiter – ESA-led orbiter launches in 2027. Will capture the orbiting sample container in 2031 and place it in an Earth entry capsule for release prior to landing on Earth in 2033.
This intricate sequence of launches and robotic surface operations maximizes the probability of the samples arriving safely. Rigorous procedures will be followed by retrieval operations to prevent Earth contamination. Refining sample collection and developing Mars ascent vehicle technologies early also provides valuable experience for eventual human missions to Mars.
Current Status and Budget Pressures
The MSR mission is currently facing budgetary pressures that threaten its 2026 launch readiness date. An independent review published in September 2023 found a “near zero probability” of meeting the planned timeline within the allocated $4 billion budget. The review estimated the mission will likely require $8-11 billion to have a 50% confidence of success.
Several issues driving the higher costs were identified:
- Insufficient checks and balances led to unrealistic initial budget estimates
- Recurring engineering design changes underestimated
- Lack of mature designs for the orbiting sample container and Mars ascent vehicle
Additionally, the Senate Appropriations Committee expressed concerns this year about MSR’s rising costs and management. It proposed reducing the FY 2024 budget from $949 million requested to $300 million. House appropriators however supported the full request.
In response, NASA is reassessing the architecture, budget profile, and organization structure. The agency slowed work in November while Congress finalizes an appropriations bill for FY 2024, which may force a mission descope. Launch delays are also being considered to reduce annual costs.
To increase public awareness and support, NASA initiated a response team to communicate the importance of MSR’s science goals for understanding Mars’ potential for life and planetary evolution. While delays could enable China’s competing Tianwen-3 sample return mission to achieve the first Mars samples on Earth, NASA remains committed to a careful step-by-step approach that ensures high quality samples and maximizes scientific return.
Conclusion
The Mars Sample Return campaign provides an opportunity to analyze Mars material in Earth laboratories to reveal mysteries about planetary conditions, evolution, and life using powerful instrumentation unfeasible to send to Mars. As a joint NASA-ESA program, it will enhance abilities in robotic sample handling and Mars exploration operations while advancing international cooperation.
Despite rising costs and schedule pressures, NASA remains committed to the scientific goals. While delays could allow China initial bragging rights, the careful collection of high priority samples by Perseverance and methodical return process will provide better understanding about Mars for many generations. By communicating the importance of this mission to the public, NASA hopes to maintain crucial political support to enable the safe return of humanity’s first samples from another planet.
