The Lockheed Martin Corporation’s space division wins a NASA contract for bringing rock samples from Mars to Earth. Here’s all you need to know about the mission.
Lockheed Martin wins NASA contract
The space division of Lockheed Martin, the aerospace company won NASA‘s contract for bringing back samples to Earth from Mars in the 2030s. The “small, lightweight rocket” will be the first to take off from another planet, bringing back “rock, sediment and atmospheric samples from the surface of the Red Planet,” stated NASA. Since last year, NASA’s Perseverance Rover is busy collecting samples from various areas on Mars. The contract will add to the aim of finding traces of life on Mars.
However, unlike the recent attempt, their analysis will not be taking place on the red planet. However, due to the sophistication of techniques, it cannot be performed on-site. The Lockheed Martin rocket will launch back samples to Earth after compiling them. The contract is crucial in making this possible.
Here’s how Martian samples are reaching Earth
As per NASA’s plans, they are planning to launch a mission in 2026 at the earliest for sending the mini-rocket to Mars. It will contain another rover that is liable for gathering samples left behind by NASA’s Perseverance. The contract for the “Mars Ascent Vehicle” is valued at around $194 million. “The pieces are coming together to bring home the first samples from another planet. Once on Earth, they can be studied by state-of-the-art tools too complex to transport into space,” stated Thomas Zurbuchen. Zurbuchen is an associate administrator for science at NASA’s HQ in Washington.
Once all the samples are in the rocket, it will be going around Mars, waiting to be captured by another vessel for its final leg back home. The second vessel and the rover for recovering samples from Mars, developed under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) direction. “This groundbreaking endeavor is destined to inspire the world when the first robotic round-trip mission retrieves a sample from another planet. A significant step that will ultimately help send the first astronauts to Mars” stated Bill Nelson, the administrator of NASA. “America’s investment in our Mars Sample Return program will fulfill a top priority planetary science goal. And demonstrate our commitment to global partnerships, ensuring NASA remains a leader in exploration and discovery,” he added.