Posted: Tue, Dec 21, 2004, 6:50 PM ET (2350 GMT)
The European Space Agency announced Monday that it has convinced member nations to contribute additional funds for Aurora, a long-term exploration program. The Italian Space Agency will provide €12.5 million (US$16.7 million) to take the lead in the preparatory phase in the program. Britain, France, and a number of other ESA members have also confirmed or increased their contributions to the program, bringing its total funding to €41.5 million (US$55.6 million) through 2005-2006. Aurora is a decades-long program designed to develop a human and robotic exploration program similar in general scope to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. The initial programs for Aurora will include ExoMars, an orbiter and rover mission, and a proposed Mars sample return mission next decade.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  ESA press release