From the dawn of humankind, the need to explore has driven expansion across the planet. Today this expansion continues towards other planets in the solar system by means of robotic spacecrafts.

In this series of exploration for the clues of life, Mars stands at the top, as it’s the only planet having similar features like Earth. Until now, studies show the presence of gigantic polar ice caps and wispy white clouds on Mars.

NASA, no doubt is leading in this quest of missions to the Red planet. From the sixties, it is having an eye to gather samples in order to get better information and signs of life on Mars, which up to some extend, has been accomplished by collecting samples by rovers on the surface of Mars. Furthermore, Urey, Mars Organic and oxidant detector, chosen by the European Space Agency as a part of ExoMars mission in 2013 is another important step towards this aim.

The multibillion-dollar Mars sample return program was given main consideration at the Seventh International Conference on Mars, held here on July 9-13 at the California Institute of Technology. Scientists and researchers have always maintained that it will provide better opportunity to study atmospheric conditions and organic life on Mars if samples can be made available in the laboratories on Earth.

However, if Alen Stern is optimistic for the success of this program, some others are having doubts and dilemmas about its cost complexities as it may require a huge amount of money ranging between $3 billion to $4 billion, which can affect other Mars missions decided by NASA in the upcoming years.

Stern is determined to make it a success and asking Government and every institute to concentrate on development and modification of catching rovers. For this purpose, Stern is backing nuclear-powered Mars science laboratory and had asked a tiger team at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, to design sample-catching gear for Mars Science Laboratory. He also requested ESA to add sample-catching equipment to their ExoMars mission.

Stern said that we could hope to accomplish our mission in 2018-2019 periods. He further emphasized that it will be worth using the 46% of the total budget issued for NASA’s Mars exploration mission.

With great seriousness, Stern said,

I want to get serious about Mars sample return and this is the way to do it, Stern said. This has been going on all my life, waiting for Mars sample return and it never gets there. We’re going to do a pragmatic, but competent sample return.

Looking at NASA’s such aspiration and availability of technology we can hope that they will create history till 2018, which Stern says is enough time period for his Comprehensive sample return mission.

Image Credit: MARS

Via: USAToday85118