Mars Sample Return
5 reportsThe main lines of inquiry around Mars Sample Return include instrument operations, while also considering habitability evidence and surface mission constraints. The account asks whether approved mission documents and engineering milestones support the same conclusion about habitability evidence; the result is bounded by the possibility that proposed schedules and capabilities may change during development.
China Targets 2028 Launch for Mars Sample Return Mission
China's Tianwen 3 mission is advancing toward a 2028 launch window, with plans to return Martian surface samples to Earth by 2031 using a multi-stage spacecraft and strict planetary protection protocols
Japan Prepares MMX Spacecraft for Mars Moon Sample Return Launch
Japan has revealed its MMX spacecraft, scheduled to launch on October 19, aiming to collect and return samples from Mars' moon Phobos. The mission will test new sample-return technology and address key questions about the origins of Mars' moons.
Ancient Mars Meteorite Reveals Unexplored Era in Red Planet's History
A 1.27-billion-year-old Martian meteorite found in Algeria is providing rare insight into a previously undocumented period of Mars' geological evolution, according to new laboratory analysis
NASA Eyes Mars Skies 50 Years After Viking 1's Landmark Landing
NASA's Viking 1 lander touched down on Mars in 1976, launching a new era of planetary exploration. Now, five decades later, the agency is preparing to extend its reach above the Martian surface with aerial missions.
Perseverance Rover Images Ancient Martian Bedrock at Jezero Crater Rim
NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a detailed view of the Jezero Crater rim on Mars, revealing a thick sequence of ancient rocks. The Mastcam-Z instrument recorded the scene, offering new evidence about the planet's impact history and surface evolution