Independent Review Deems NASA's Mars Sample Return Budget and Schedule Unrealistic

An independent review commissioned by NASA has found serious issues with the technical readiness, cost, and schedule of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The review concluded that the two main elements of MSR, a sample retrieval lander developed by NASA and an Earth return orbiter developed by the European Space Agency, are unlikely to be ready for launch in 2027 or 2028 as projected. The projected budgets for MSR are also insufficient, with the likely range of full lifecycle costs now estimated to be between $8 billion and $11 billion. The review recommended finding a way to return all the samples collected by the Perseverance rover and improving communication about the scientific and strategic importance of MSR. NASA is delaying the MSR confirmation review and will make a recommendation on the future of the program in early 2024.