Could NASA's Mars Sample Return be saved? New $3 billion private plan would haul home Red Planet rocks (video)
Space.comTuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM
Lockheed Martin is pitching a bold $3 billion private plan to rescue NASA's troubled Mars Sample Return mission, promising to bring back Martian rocks at less than half the current projected cost while still hitting major scientific objectives. The aerospace giant’s proposal, detailed in a new video, suggests a leaner, faster approach to a mission that’s been bogged down by budget overruns and delays.
Editor’s Note: This could be a game-changer for one of NASA’s most ambitious—and problematic—missions. If Lockheed’s plan holds up, it might salvage years of work and billions in taxpayer money while still delivering the first-ever Mars samples to Earth. For space fans, it’s a glimmer of hope that the Red Planet’s secrets aren’t slipping out of reach.
— Curated via WP Now’s
