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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Prototype Earth Return Container for Mars Samples

Prototype Earth Return Container for Mars Samples
Prototype Earth Return Container for Mars Samples This image shows a prototype container that could carry Perseverance’s sample tubes from Mars back to Earth. Once launched into Mars orbit, the container would be picked up by an orbiting satellite, carried back to Earth, and sent hurtling through Earth’s atmosphere to the ground for retrieval. NASA/JPL-Caltech