Mars rovers have limited payload. Therefore, they cannot conduct all kinds of analysis on the samples. That is why, Mars sample retrieval missions are planned. However, bringing samples to Earth requires big rockets with multiple stages. Such rockets do not exist at the moment. More importantly it takes months for a sample to reach Earth. During this time some of the samples may degrade even with proper preservation.
I propose a Mars Lab Station for robots only. It would orbit the planet like ISS orbiting the Earth. This lab would turn any sample retrieval mission to an LMO (Low Mars Orbit) mission compared to a mission from Mars to Earth. This would require much simpler retrieval rockets. Additionally, the samples would be processed much faster with minimal degradation. Finally, moving advanced lab equipment to the lab from the surface rovers would make the rovers simpler and more agile.
Mars has stronger gravitational anomalies than Earth. As a result, any orbiting object requires more maneuver and more fuel to stay in orbit. NASA had thought of missions to deploy satellites to Mars, but abandoned them all. However, establishing an orbital lab is more beneficial for the future compared to single shot missions to retrieve samples to be analyzed on Earth.
This idea can be generalized to other planets such as Venus and Mercury Lab Stations.
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