1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The United States has long been a pioneer and leader in space exploration, but we risk ceding this esteemed position to other nations like China if we do not maintain our commitment to ambitious endeavors like Mars Sample Return. Returning pristine samples from Mars is a crucial and attainable next step that would greatly advance our scientific understanding and pave the way for future human exploration of the Red Planet. However, the proposed cancellation of this mission in the President's 2026 budget is short-sighted and could result in a severe brain drain as experts seek opportunities elsewhere. Abandoning Mars Sample Return now would be a major setback, squandering years of hard work and investment while allowing other countries to seize the mantle of leadership in deep space exploration. I urge you to fight for full funding of this vital program to protect American preeminence, high-tech jobs, and irreplaceable scientific expertise that will be essential as we push further into the final frontier.