$11 billion is too expensive...not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long, NASA administrator Bill Nelson stated during a news conference.
NASA had hoped the Mars Sample Return mission would cost $5-$7 billion, but a review concluded it could be $8-$11 billion, delaying the return to 2040.
NASA plans to seek alternative plans for the Mars mission from aerospace companies and experts, with proposals due on May 17, finance several of them, and deciding its next step later this year.
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