Today we stand on the threshold of one of the most exciting moments in the history of space exploration: bringing a piece of another planet in our solar system back home. NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission promises to fill significant gaps in our understanding of the universe and propel humanity forward in a new phase of the space race. Exploring the cosmos isn’t just about making new discoveries, it is about improving life on Earth, inspiring a new generation while expanding business and providing high-paying jobs for scientists and engineers. The United States is a nation dedicated to space exploration with a storied history of humanity-leading achievements. But if we are to retain this spirit and continue exploring, we must accomplish MSR more quickly and affordably than the current proposed architecture.
Planetary science is in the DNA of Rocket Lab. It’s what drives us to solve hard problems, to create new and innovative capabilities and to push our own boundaries to reach for the seemingly unreachable. At Rocket Lab we know a thing or two about our solar system: we’ve been to the moon; we’re building the world’s first private mission to Venus; our solar cells power most interplanetary missions that don’t use radioisotope thermoelectric generators; and just last year we delivered not one but two spacecraft to NASA destined for the Red Planet. From launch vehicles to planetary missions, we’re advancing space exploration while adhering to our core belief that access to space will improve life on Earth.
It is because of our dedication to planetary science that Rocket Lab has taken such a keen interest in the MSR mission. MSR is the top planetary priority for the scientific community. It represents a bold leap forward for planetary science, marking a key milestone in unraveling the origins of our universe – and advances us towards sending humans to Mars. Collecting samples from Mars has been a goal since the 1970s, but with ballooning costs and extended delays, the mission has felt just out of reach. Yet the human drive to explore won’t let us fail.
Last summer NASA, realizing the existing mission design was too far over-budget (up to $11 billion) and behind-schedule (samples returning in 2040), announced an independent review coupled with a round of industry studies to look at alternative architectures. In December, NASA announced the results of six months of review: NASA wants another year and $300 million to continue studying the problem. Furthermore, NASA proposed two broad options it would like to study: Option A, a NASA-led architecture using heritage technology largely identical to the original plan former Administrator Nelson canceled; and Option B, involving commercial partners with more expensive heavy vehicles and long lead times. Perhaps most importantly, these plans may still return samples as late as 2039 and still cost as much as $7.7 billion based on initial estimates.
If the nation is going to get this mission back on track, it will take bold leadership. The path forward is clear: NASA should immediately move to fund the commercial MSR concepts in hand, allowing it to execute MSR ahead of schedule and significantly below legacy cost projections. Rocket Lab is ideally positioned to do this. That’s why our proposed mission architecture to return samples as early as 2031 for a cost of under $4 billion, would be under a firm fixed-price contract.
Rocket Lab’s architecture will return all 30 Martian samples being collected by NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover using a three-launch solution that includes: a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, a Sample Return Lander, and an Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). Unlike the baseline plans, Rocket Lab’s will perform under a firm-fixed price contract to ensure cost control and on-time performance. What also makes Rocket Lab’s proposal unique is our ability to perform as a single, vertically integrated prime contractor providing all mission elements, eliminating complicated mission management. The architecture leverages our technical expertise to simplify operations with numerous innovative solutions.
Our proposal:
Uses commercial launch options without the need for complex in-space refueling and avoids complex crewed operations to return the samples.
Employs storable chemical propulsion for both the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) and ERO using our flight proven Electron Rutherford engines.
Uses heritage engine designs for the propulsion system of the Lander.
Incorporates proven Mars entry aeroshells and supersonic parachutes.
Supports precise landings with terminal guidance systems and landing algorithms derived from lunar lander missions.
Simplifies robotics for the sample transfer arm, ensuring efficient movement from Perseverance rover to MAV.
Adopts a single stage to orbit MAV, eliminating the need for multi-stage solid propellants and complex ejection systems.
Uses in-house solar power systems, avoiding the use of nuclear power.
Integrates Mars technologies in collaboration with NASA, focusing on thermal protection; entry, descent, and landing systems; and contamination control.
Uses heritage deep space communication and navigation systems, leveraging our relationship with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Rocket Lab-manufactured Frontier radios.
Simplifies robotics for the sample capture, containment and return system and uses heritage rendezvous, proximity operations, docking sensors, and algorithms.
Implements a direct entry, parachute-less impactor Earth Entry System for Earth return.
When the Space Shuttle was retired, America didn’t turn to a NASA-led development program to get humans back into space. Instead, NASA took advantage of America’s greatest resource –leveraging ingenuity in the private sector. NASA should take this model for success and leverage the commercial sector in the science portfolio so the agency can maximize the value of every taxpayer dollar invested.
And while Mars Sample Return will be a milestone for humanity in its own right, it’s only the beginning. The technologies we are developing for this mission are essential building blocks for the next great step—sending humans to Mars. We must be relentless in our pursuit of this important mission, which means it’s time to try a drastically different approach.
Sir Peter Beck is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Lab, a Nasdaq-listed leading launch and space systems company opening access to space to improve life on Earth. Rocket Lab’s capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, industry-leading spacecraft software and components and reliable launch services.
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