NASA punts Mars Sample Return decision to the next administration

A photomontage shows tubes containing samples from Mars, as collected by NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. Anyone hoping for a clear path forward this year for NASA’s imperiled Mars Sample Return mission will have to wait a little longer. So they will be moving forward, regardless of which path, with a key role in the Mars Sample Return.” In April, after an independent review found “near zero probability” of Mars Sample Return making its proposed 2028 launch date, NASA put out a request for alternative proposals to all of its centers and the private sector. NASA has not had any conversations with Trump’s transition team about Mars Sample Return, Nelson said. “Cancellation is obviously still on the table.. It’s hard to game this out.” Planetary scientists have identified Mars Sample Return as their field’s highest priority in the last three decadal surveys, reports that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine prepare every 10 years in order to advise NASA.