JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Mars Sample Retrieval Lander Concept Illustration

April 21, 2022
This illustration shows a concept for a proposed NASA Sample Retrieval Lander that would carry a small rocket called the Mars Ascent Vehicle to the Martian surface.

This illustration shows a concept for a proposed NASA Sample Retrieval Lander that would carry a small rocket (about 10 feet, or 3 meters, tall) called the Mars Ascent Vehicle to the Martian surface. After being loaded with sealed tubes containing samples of Martian rocks and soil collected by NASA's Perseverance rover, the rocket would launch into Mars orbit. The samples would then be ferried to Earth for detailed analysis.

The lander is part of the multi-mission Mars Sample Return program being planned by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency).

For more information, visit: mars.nasa.gov/msr.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
Target
  • Mars
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Mars Earth Entry System Aeroshell at Entry (Illustration)

Mars Sample Return Concept Illustration

Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group Team Photo

First Meeting of Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group

Mars Sample Retrieval Lander-Mars Ascent Vehicle Launch Illustration

Mars Samples in Orbit (Illustration)

Mars Ascent Vehicle (Illustration)

Project Manager for NASA's Mars Ascent Vehicle

Mars Sample Return Campaign Artist's Concept

Mars Sample Return Orbiting Sample Container Concept Model

Related Topic

Event Feb. 16, 2023 .

Perseverance: Two Years on Mars

Audio .

Episode 11: Digging In: When Rovers Get Dirt on Mars

Event Jan. 26, 2023 .

Student Webinar – Make a Cardboard Rover

Mission .

InSight

News .

NASA Explores a Winter Wonderland on Mars

Video .

What Is Winter Like on Mars? (Mars News Report)

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface

News .

NASA Retires InSight Mars Lander Mission After Years of Science

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover to Begin Building Martian Sample Depot

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Gets the Dirt on Mars

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors
Careers
Internships
The JPL Story
JPL Achievements
Documentary Series
Annual Reports
Missions
Current
Past
Future
All
News
All
Earth
Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
Subscribe to JPL News
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Apps
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Robotics at JPL
Events
Lecture Series
Team Competitions
Speakers Bureau
Calendar
Visit
Public Tours
Virtual Tour
Directions and Maps
Topics
JPL Life
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Exoplanets
Stars and Galaxies
Robotics
More
Asteroid Watch
NASA's Eyes Visualizations
Universe - Internal Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Managers: Veronica McGregor, Randal Jackson
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Naomi Hartono
CL#: 21-0018