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In the second decade of this century...

A Landing and Sample Return Mission

SERIES OF MARS SCOUTING MISSIONS »

In the second decade of the 21st century, NASA plans to send a major mission to return samples of Martian rock and soil to Earth. There would be opportunities for such a large-scale sample return mission to be launched in 2014 or 2016.

• First Launch: 2014
• Mars Landing: 2015
• Launch from Mars: 2015
• Earth Return: 2017
  
  
• Second Launch: 2016
• Mars Landing: 2017
• Launch from Mars: 2017
• Earth Return: 2019

Optionally, a sample return mission could be launched earlier. Technology development for the mission would include miniaturized surface science instruments and deep drilling to hundreds of meters.

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NASA Mars History: Rover Spirit 2003 Rover Opportunity 2003 Express 2003 Odyssey 2001 Polar Lander 1999 Climate Orbiter 1998 Deep Space 2 1999 Global Surveyor 1996 Pathfinder Lander 1996 Rover Sojourner 1996 Pathfinder Mission 1996 Viking-1 Lander 1975 Viking-2 Orbiter 1975 Viking-1 Lander 1975 Viking-1 Orbiter 1975 Mariner 9 Orbiter 1971 Mars 3 Lander 1971 Mariner 4 Flyby 1964 Viking Mission 1975 Mars Meteorites - JPL

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NASA CONCEPTION OF MARS WITH WATER FOUR BILLIONS YEAR AGO

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