NASA told how they will deliver samples of Mars to Earth

The sample return process will require several steps, the first of which is preparation and sealing

surface material and other samples withusing the Perseverance rover. The rover will then drop samples, and much later, a separate mission will travel to Mars with a lifeboat equipped with the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV).

The ATV will find samples, grab them and deliver them tolifeboat. The MAV will then rise from the surface and meet with an orbiter orbiting Mars. At this point, the samples will be transferred into orbit, which will leave Mars and travel back to Earth to deliver these samples.

At the same time, engineers are required to “provide propulsion systems for the MAV, as well as other ancillary equipment and logistics services,” explained NASA.

Watch Perseverance ride on the surface of Mars for the first time

Journalists note that mostSince Northrop Grumman will take over the technical tasks, it is difficult to be sure that the soil will be delivered to Earth on time or on budget. For example, the James Webb Space Telescope was supposed to launch in 2007, and its total cost was supposed to be $ 500 million. However, it has not yet been launched. The program's budget is already $ 10 billion.

Previously, scientists from NASA conducted tests duringwhich the Perseverance device first traveled over the surface of Mars. Engineers will conduct several more of these tests before sending the rover out in search of life.

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