Go/no-go for a Mars samples return
成果类型：
Editorial Material
署名作者：
Southwood, David
署名单位：
Imperial College London; European Space Agency
刊物名称：
SCIENCE
ISSN/ISSBN：
0036-13447
DOI：
10.1126/science.adr7337
发表日期：
2024-07-19
页码：
233-233
关键词：
摘要：
Last month's return to Earth of China's lunar lander Chang'e-6 with samples from the far side of the Moon is a reminder that there are firsts in robotic space exploration still to be achieved. Unfortunately, this year has seen a major setback for the prospects of an even more extensive plan to collect samples from Mars. In April, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) made clear that the ballooning cost for the US Mars Sample Return mission to around $11 billion was too much and the 2040 return date was too distant. NASA has been told to look for ideas to lower costs and shorten the timeline. Shock and anger are palpable in the astronomy community.