NASA Proposes Cheaper, Quicker Way to Get Mars Rocks and Soil to Earth

Perseverance rover captures a portrait of its recently completed sample depot using its Mastcam-Z camera on Jan. 31, 2023. NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—NASA is pitching a cheaper and quicker way of getting rocks and soil back from Mars, after seeing its original plan swell to $11 billion.

Administrator Bill Nelson presented a revised scenario Tuesday, less than two weeks before stepping down as NASA’s chief when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.