NASA scientists are constantly working on new tools, machines and aircrafts. NASA has completed the system requirement review for its Mars Sample Return. It has conducted its conceptual design phase. During this period the team evaluated and re fined architecture to return the scientifically selected Martian Samples. The samples are currently in collection process by NASA’s Perseverance rover in Mars’s Jezero’s crater.
The conceptual design phase is a period where mission gets put on detailed review. “There are some significant and advantageous changes to plan which can be attributed to Perseverance’s successes and amazing performance of Mars Helicopter” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASa headquarters in Washington. 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 to preliminary design this October. The phase is expected to last about 12 months. The program will complete technology development and create engineering prototypes of the major mission components.
This concept for Mars Sample Return was presented to the delegates from 22 participating states of Europe’s space exploration program. The new meeting aims to have talks about development of Sample Fetch Rover. More formalized aggrements between two agencies will be established next year.
The perseverance rover has collected 11 scientifically compelling rock core samples and one atmospheric sample. With these samples scientists across the world will get a chance to examine specimen using sophisticated instruments that future generation can study them. This strategic NASA and ESA partnership will fulfill a solar system exploration goal which is a high priority since 1970s. New theories and models can be developed like the Apollo samples returned from the Moon have done for decades.