Skip to Content

NASA is seeking a faster, cheaper way to bring Mars samples to Earth

By MARCIA DUNN
AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is seeking a faster, cheaper way to bring rock samples from Mars to Earth. In the meantime, the space agency says the effort is on hold. Reviews put the total cost of the project at $11 billion, with an arrival date of 2040. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says that’s too much and too late. So he’s asking private industry and each NASA center to come up with other options. The goal is to get at least some of the samples to Earth sometime in the 2030s for around $7 billion. A NASA rover on Mars has already collected some of the soil and rock samples.

Article Topic Follows: AP-National

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content