Mars sample return program faces cancellation after House budget vote

The U.S. House appropriations minibus states it does not support the existing NASA‑ESA Mars Sample Return program; the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The House-passed Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes language that does not support the existing Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The bill also allocates $24.4 billion to NASA for fiscal year 2026 and establishes a Mars Future Missions program line. The matter now moves to the Senate for a vote. Scientists and advocacy groups have publicly expressed concern about the implications for Mars science and existing samples cached by the Perseverance rover. Key facts: - The House minibus bill, passed on Jan. 8, states it does not support the currently formulated NASA‑ESA Mars Sample Return program. - The bill allocates $24.4 billion to NASA for FY2026 and includes a Mars Future Missions line while a Senate vote is pending. - Mars science groups, including MEPAG and The Planetary Society, reported concern and emphasized the importance of preserving samples already collected by the Perseverance rover. Summary: If enacted, the House bill would discontinue the current MSR program while directing funding toward a Mars Future Missions line. The proposal now awaits action in the Senate and has prompted public concern from the Mars science community about protection and future retrieval of Perseverance's cached samples.