NASA and SpaceX Study “Red Dragon” Mars Sample Return Alternative

Facing budget cuts and complexity issues with its original Mars Sample Return (MSR) plan, NASA is now evaluating a SpaceX proposal to use a stripped-down Starship variant dubbed “Red Dragon” to retrieve Perseverance’s samples. The concept would land on Mars, load samples autonomously, and launch them back to Earth by 2030—years earlier than the ESA-NASA plan.

While risky, the approach could slash costs from 11Btounder11Btounder4B. Critics worry about Starship’s unproven landing capabilities on Mars, but proponents argue its payload capacity (100+ tons) is unmatched. A decision is expected by late 2024.

 \\\”Starship could turn Mars sample return from a decade-long saga into a single mission.\\\”

— Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, former NASA Science Chief.

• Perseverance’s sample tubes
• Starship mockup at SpaceX HQ
• MSR infographic