NASA and ESA scientists believe the original plan to launch Perseverance from Mars is way too risky. The two space agencies finally decided to change their plans to help the rover get going again. This new strategy pushes back the delivery date of the precious samples collected by the robot to 2033 at the earliest.
Change of plan for the return of Perseverance
The two space agencies invoked “unacceptable levels” of high risk, regarding the return of the Perseverance rover to Earth. It is for this reason that NASA and ESA have decided to postpone the takeoff of the rover from the red planet. NASA chief science officer Thomas Zurbuchen made the announcement March 21 during a presentation to the Space Studies Board.
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The mission called Mars Sample Return is very special. Piloted from the United States with NASA and from Europe with ESA, it consists of bring pieces of Mars back to Earth for analysis. It has never been done. The Perseverance rover, which arrived on Mars just over a year ago, has already collected many samples, notably in the famous Jezero crater on Mars.
The original plan was to have the rover and ascent vehicle on a single rocket in 2026. To minimize risk, NASA and ESA decided to split them into two separate missions. American and European space agencies hope for a take-off for 2028 from March, for both launches, and a 2033 return date for the Martian samples to Earth. The total cost of the mission could reach 4 billion euros.
An extremely complex space mission
This is not a major change to the core of the mission. It’s just extra security to maximize the chances of recovering the Martian samples intact. In effect, this is how it should work: another rover, after a successful landing, will pick up the samples collected by Perseverance and then place them in the Mars ascent vehicle, which will have arrived separately according to the new plan.
NASA’s new strategy. Image: Nasa
The ascent vehicle will then be able to take off from the red planet to reach the orbit of Mars where the ESA Earth Return Orbiter will be waiting for it. It is this spaceship that will return to Earth with the samples. In reality, it is not surprising that the plan had to be changed. This is a first and in November 2020 an independent review panel had recommended delaying the initial launch to allow for longer development time.
Either way, Perseverance’s comeback is starting to take shape. This mission promises to be one of the most complex space operations ever attempted. Is it worth it. Thanks to the Martian samples collected by the rover, the scientists will be able to closely study the characteristics of Mars and search for potential signs of life, in addition to learning more about Martian geology.