NASA says a preliminary cost estimate for the agency-led nuclear-powered Mars mission Space Reactor-1 Freedom is about $2.1 billion; figure may be adjusted during procurement. Funding plan submitted to Congress calls for $640m in 2026, $890m in 2027, $415m in 2028 and $180m in 2029. The estimate excludes the science payload mission SkyFall, whose budget has not been released; Mars researchers warn SkyFall could crowd out other NASA science funding. The mission, slated for launch in late 2028, wo

NASA says a preliminary cost estimate for the agency-led nuclear-powered Mars mission Space Reactor-1 Freedom is about $2.1 billion; figure may be adjusted during procurement. Funding plan submitted to Congress calls for $640m in 2026, $890m in 2027, $415m in 2028 and $180m in 2029. The estimate excludes the science payload mission SkyFall, whose budget has not been released; Mars researchers warn SkyFall could crowd out other NASA science funding. The mission, slated for launch in late 2028, would be the first in-flight validation of a nuclear electric propulsion system and is expected to carry three helicopters to Mars to collect scientific data and search for potential water sources.