Bringing Samples of Mars to Earth

Bringing Mars to Earth is no simple undertaking. It will require at least three missions from Earth, and one never-been-done-before rocket launch from Mars. A first mission, NASA’s 2020 Mars Rover, is set to collect surface samples in pen-sized canisters as it explores the Red Planet. Up to 31 canisters will be filled and readied for a later pickup. In the same period, ESA’s ExoMars rover, which is also set to land on Mars in 2021, will be drilling up to two meters below the surface to search for evidence of life. Learn about the other missions at ESA .