A MARSNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE

In another stunning development, ESA officials have confirmed to MarsNews.com that the sample canisters launched by the twin Mars Exploration Rovers into Mars orbit have been successfully retrieved by a previously undisclosed Mars Sample Return Vehicle (MSRV) orbiting the Red Planet.

ESA’s MSRV spacecraft (built by France) arrived at Mars late last year as part of the Mars Express mission and carries a new propulsion system which our contacts at ESA have remained tight-lipped about.