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NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission is dead

456 points · 391 comments · Muhammad523

peri-cl · 1790019864 · focus · HN ↗
This article only obliquely mentions in the last paragraphs, but there's a parallel Chinese program that recently brought back samples from the moon, and will attempt Mars sample return, launching in 2028,
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianwen-3" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianwen-3
1. notabee · 1790020232 · focus · HN ↗
  Anyone wanting to be involved in the future of scientific research should probably start learning Mandarin. We're going the way of the Soviets, where political officers will quash any science that doesn't fit their ideology. <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/trump-planning-to-hand-veto-power-over-nih-grants-to-political-appointee/" rel="nofollow">https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/trump-planning-to-ha...
  1. ourmandave · 1790024786 · focus · HN ↗
    Jan 3rd is coming soon to an impeachment near you.
    Steady as she goes, Mr. Sulu.
    PaulDavisThe1st · 1790024945 · focus · HN ↗
    There is no possible scenario where the senate, even post-midterms, votes to convict. And if they did, which they will not, the vice-president stands waiting to give us more or the same, or maybe worse.
    fhdkweig · 1790025174 · focus · HN ↗
    It isn't like the VP hasn't done impeachable offenses.
    JackFr · 1790025312 · focus · HN ↗
    They could get warmed up for it by first impeaching Pete Hegseth and RFK.
    dpkirchner · 1790027662 · focus · HN ↗
    They wouldn't bother -- those people are obviously fully endorsed by the mainstream of their party.
    ourmandave · 1790032656 · focus · HN ↗
    Well, at the very least they can pump the brakes on the stupid by giving power back to congress.
    Stop rubber stamping stupidity like RFK, pass a war powers resolution, and reign in the vengeance based tariffs.

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