Wed Jan 08 05:08:44 UTC 2025: ## NASA Unveils Cheaper Mars Sample Return Plan
**Cape Canaveral, Fla. –** NASA has announced a revised, significantly cheaper plan to return Martian soil and rock samples collected by the Perseverance rover. The original plan, projected to cost $11 billion and delay sample retrieval until after 2040, has been scrapped by outgoing NASA Administrator Bill Nelson due to escalating costs.
Nelson presented two alternative options on Tuesday, both estimated to cost between $6 billion and $7 billion. These revised plans maintain the same number of spacecraft launches but streamline the mission. One option uses a traditional sky crane landing system, while the other incorporates a novel system developed by private companies.
The revised plans include simplifying sample preparation by cleaning the tubes on Mars rather than in the return spacecraft, and utilizing nuclear power to mitigate Martian dust storm issues.
Perseverance has collected over two dozen samples, vital for the search for ancient Martian life. Scientists eagerly await analysis of these samples in Earth-based labs. A final decision on the chosen plan is expected next year after further engineering studies. The incoming Trump administration, with tech billionaire Jared Isaacman nominated as the new NASA administrator, will ultimately decide on funding and implementation.
First Piper 