Why do space probes and robots need to send samples back to Earth when they have analytical equipment on board?

Question

I’ve seen some of the Martian rovers are collecting samples to be sent back to Earth to determine the presence of microbes on Mars. But why do they need to be sent to Earth? Why can’t the analytical equipment on board detect it?

In: 0

Answer 1

We have much better and more capable equipment on earth in labs, than what can be sent on a rover.