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Can NASA's troubled Mars Sample Return mission be saved?

The article discusses the challenges facing NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, which aims to bring back samples from Mars to Earth. Originally estimated at $4.4 billion, the mission's costs have escalated, with an independent review suggesting a potential price tag of $8 to $11 billion and a delay in sample return to 2040. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed concerns over the mission's budget, leading to a call for a more cost-effective plan. The mission involves complex operations including a lander, a rocket to launch from Mars, and an orbiter to bring the samples back to Earth. Amidst these financial and scheduling issues, NASA is now exploring alternative, less expensive strategies to achieve the mission's objectives, potentially involving international partnerships or different technological approaches. The urgency to find a solution is driven by the need to maintain scientific momentum and public interest in Mars exploration.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/can-nasa-s-troubled-mars-sample-return-mission-be-saved/ar-AA1wUlhp ]