The race to return samples from Mars is intensifying as both NASA and China's space agencies develop their respective Mars Sample Return (MSR) missions. NASA's Perseverance rover is currently collecting samples in Jezero Crater, with plans to return them to Earth by 2040. However, the projected cost of over $11 billion has prompted NASA to seek ways to reduce expenses and accelerate the timeline.
A review by the MSR Strategy Review Team, chaired by MIT planetary scientist Maria Zuber, is underway to evaluate the program and recommend a primary architecture for the mission. NASA anticipates updates on the MSR strategy in early 2025.
Meanwhile, China's Tianwen-3 mission is set to launch two spacecraft around 2028, aiming to return Martian specimens by 2031. The mission's chief scientist, Hou Zengqian, emphasizes the search for signatures of life on Mars as a primary goal.
Both countries are engaged in discussions about the scientific value of their respective missions. NASA's Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) advocates for a scientifically-selected suite of samples, while concerns linger about the potential for a less rigorous approach from China.
As these missions develop, the global implications for space exploration and international collaboration remain significant.