Nature Podcast Briefing Chat: Can NASA return rocks from Mars? And why dogs have long ears
Jan 16, 2026
Explore the disappointing news that NASA's Mars samples may never return to Earth, leaving vital scientific questions unanswered. Delve into the reasons behind this funding decision and its implications for understanding past life on Mars. Shift gears to discover the quirky world of dog genetics, especially why some breeds have long, floppy ears. A fascinating study connects genetic markers to ear length, showcasing how evolution and environment shape our canine companions.
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Mars Sample Return Is On Hold
- The Mars sample-return programme has been effectively cancelled by a recent bipartisan US spending bill.
- This move halts answers to big questions like whether Mars ever hosted life and delays analysis of tantalizing samples like Sample 25.
Funding Kept For Future Tech
- The spending bill still funds other NASA priorities and sets aside money to keep sample-return technologies alive.
- $110 million was reserved for the NASA Future Missions Programme to continue developing return technologies in case priorities change.
Sample 25 Could Hint At Past Life
- Returned Mars rocks would directly address whether life existed there by allowing detailed laboratory analyses.
- Sample 25, with