This illustration shows a concept for multiple robots that will team up to transport samples collected from the surface of Mars by NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover to Earth. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA will inspire the world when it returns samples from Mars to Earth in 2033
NASA has completed a review of the system requirements for its Mars sample return program, which has nearly completed its conceptual design phase. During this phase, the program team evaluated and refined the architecture to return scientifically selected Martian samples. These samples are currently being collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover in Jezero Crater on the Red Planet.
The campaign architecture is expected to reduce the complexity of future missions and increase the probability of success. In addition to NASA, the program includes contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA).
“The conceptual design phase is when every aspect of the mission plan is put under the microscope,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “There are some significant and beneficial changes to the plan that can be directly attributed to Perseverance’s recent successes at Jezero and the amazing performance of our Mars helicopter.”
This illustration shows a concept for a proposed NASA sample retrieval lander that would carry a small rocket (about 10 feet or 3 meters tall) called the Mars Ascent Vehicle to the surface of Mars. After being loaded with sealed tubes containing samples of Martian rock and soil collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover, the rocket will launch into Mars orbit. The samples will then be sent back to Earth for detailed analysis. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
This advanced mission architecture takes into account a recently updated analysis of Perseverance’s expected longevity. Perseverance will now be the primary vehicle for transporting samples to NASA’s Sample Retrieval Lander (pictured above), carrying the Mars Ascent Vehicle (pictured below) and ESA’s Sample Transfer Arm.
With this change, the Mars Sample Return campaign will no longer include the Sample Fetch Rover or its associated second lander. The drop-in sample retrieval module will include two sample retrieval helicopters based on the design of the Ingenuity helicopter, which has completed 29 flights to Mars and survived more than a year beyond its original intended life. The helicopters will provide a secondary option for retrieving samples stored on the Red Planet’s surface.
This illustration shows NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) in powered flight. The MAV will carry tubes containing samples of Martian rock and soil into orbit around Mars, where ESA’s Earth Return Orbiter spacecraft will seal them in a highly protected capsule and deliver them to Earth. Credit: NASA
The ESA Earth Return Orbiter and its NASA-provided capture, retention and return system remain vital elements of the program architecture.
With planned launch dates for the Earth Return Orbiter and Sample Retrieval Lander in fall 2027 and summer 2028, respectively, the samples are expected to arrive on Earth in 2033.
With its architecture solidified during this conceptual design phase, the program is expected to move into the preliminary design phase this October. In this phase, expected to last about 12 months, the program will complete technology development and create engineering prototypes of key mission components.
This advanced concept for the Mars sample return campaign was presented to delegates from the 22 countries involved in Europe’s space exploration programme, Terrae Novae, in May. At their next meeting in September, the states will consider ending development of the Sample Fetch Rover.
“ESA continues full speed development on both the Earth Return Orbiter, which will make the historic round trip from Earth to Mars and back; and the sample transfer arm, which will robotically place the sample tubes aboard the orbital sample container prior to its launch from the surface of the Red Planet,” said David Parker, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.
Matching campaign contributions are subject to available funding from participating US and ESA countries. More formal agreements between the two agencies will be established next year.
“Working together on historic endeavors like Mars Sample Return not only provides invaluable data about our place in the universe, it brings us closer together right here on Earth,” Zurbuchen said.
The first step of the campaign to return samples from Mars is now underway. Since landing in Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021, the Perseverance rover has collected 11 scientifically conclusive rock core samples and one atmospheric sample.
Delivering samples from Mars to Earth will allow scientists around the world to examine the specimens using sophisticated instruments too large and complex to send to Mars, and will allow future generations to study them. Curating the samples on Earth would also allow the scientific community to test new theories and models as they are developed, similar to what Apollo samples returned from the moon have done for decades. This strategic partnership between NASA and ESA will fulfill a goal of solar system exploration, a high priority since the 1970s and in the last three decades of planetary science studies of the National Academy of Sciences.
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