Despite the ongoing Artemis missions (which will normally conclude with the return of astronauts to the Moon), NASA is not losing sight of the Red Planet. The American space agency has thus selected 7 US companies including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin, which will have to work on the best way to repatriate samples from Mars to Earth. NASA initially received 48 project submissions last April and therefore ultimately chose to favor 7 companies. In addition to the three companies mentioned above, the rest of the list includes Aerojet Rocketdyne, Quantum Space, Northrop Grumman and Wittinghill Aerospace.
Each of these 7 companies will receive a nice check for 1.5 million dollars to work for 90 days on the most appropriate solution within the framework of the project Mars Sample Return. The objective is mainly to recover on Earth the numerous Martian samples collected by the Rover Perseverance. “Mars Sample Return will be one of the most complex missions NASA has ever undertaken, and it is essential that we complete it faster, with less risk and at lower cost”said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “I am excited to see the vision presented by these companies, centers and partners as we seek new, exciting and innovative ideas to unlock the great cosmic secrets of the Red Planet. »
Knowing that the Mars Sample Return is a project resulting from a partnership with the ESA (European Space Agency), it is still a shame that none of the companies selected are European.
