The Bird's Foot Delta, a crucial ecological and economic hub, faces an uncertain future amid rising seas and dwindling sediment.

The Mars Sample Return effort was billions of dollars over budget and not expected to return to Earth with its samples until 2040.

The goal is to bring this material back to Earth in the 2030s for detailed inspection. "The delta in Jezero Crater is the main astrobiology target of Perseverance," said deputy project scientist ...