NASA is preparing to make an important announcement about Mars
NASA intends to announce what is happening with the Mars Sample Return program and what next steps will be taken. This is a mission to deliver samples of Martian rock to Earth.
This was reported by SSPDaily.
Since February 2021, the Perseverance rover has been exploring the Jezero crater on Mars and part of its mission is to collect interesting samples of local rock to be delivered to Earth by another spacecraft. In fact, the Mars Sample Return program will involve several spacecraft at once, which, thanks to teamwork, should solve the task.
According to NASA, the delivery of rock samples from Mars has been the main goal of research on this planet for the past few years. With the help of the samples, scientists will be able to understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate, and prepare for the future landing of astronauts on the Red Planet. Also, the study of samples will help NASA to find out whether life existed on Mars.
So far, the Mars Sample Return program plan calls for the launch of the orbiter in 2027, the launch of the lander in 2028, and the delivery of samples to Earth in 2033. NASA probably has a way to meet these deadlines. But everything will be known after the official announcement.