Alexander Lewis 
May 11, 2024
NASA is looking for a more affordable option for its Mars sample return mission. Boeing has proposed a (Space Launch System) SLS rocket as an option, but this may not be the most cost-effective solution.
The SLS rocket is currently the most expensive rocket in operation, costing about $2 billion per launch, while NASA is looking for ways to reduce the cost of its Mars Sample Return mission, estimated at is $11 billion.
Boeing's proposal involves using an SLS rocket to send a single spacecraft to Mars, collecting samples and returning them to Earth. This approach would reduce mission complexity by eliminating the need for multiple launches and spacecraft.
However, the cost of the SLS rocket and the larger size of the spacecraft and Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) required for the mission would make it more expensive than other options.
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NASA is considering other proposals other companies, such as SpaceX and Lockheed Martin, have experience with Mars missions and are developing reusable rockets that could significantly reduce costs. SpaceX's Starship, for example, is designed for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars that could potentially be used for sample return.
The agency is expected to decide later this year how to proceed with the Mars sample return mission.
NASA aims to return Martian rock samples to Earth in the 2030s, and Boeing's proposal claims to meet that goal with a single launch in 2034. However, the agency is still evaluating all options and considering factors such as cost, complexity and risk.
