Mars sample return

(a) In general The Administrator shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, lead a Mars Sample Return program to enable the return to Earth of scientifically selected samples from the surface of Mars for study in terrestrial laboratories, consistent with the recommendations of the National Academies decadal surveys for planetary science. (b) Approach The Administrator shall pursue the program described in subsection (a) on a timeline and in a manner necessary to— (1) sustain United States leadership in the scientific exploration of Mars; (2) capitalize on United States industry and NASA capabilities to land and operate robotic spacecraft on the surface of Mars; and (3) maintain a balanced and robust planetary science division portfolio without requiring significant increases to the NASA budget. (c) Implementation plan As soon as practicable and not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall do the following: (1) Transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress an acquisition plan and timeline for the implementation of a Mars Sample Return program pursuant to this section, with the goal of enabling the highest scientific return for the resources invested, which plan shall— (A) include a design and mission architecture; and (B) establish realistic cost and schedule estimates to enable such goal. (2) Determine a path forward for the Mars Sample Return that— (A) is aligned with NASA’s Mars Sample Return Strategy Review Team’s findings; (B) considers alternative mission concepts and lower cost sample return methods; and (C) enables an earlier return of samples to Earth. (3) Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into firm fixed-price agreements with 1 or more United States industry partners to carry out this section.