ESA to delay Mars rover mission
Posted: Sat, Oct 18, 2008, 9:31 AM ET (1331 GMT)
The European Space Agency is expected to push back the launch of an ambitious Mars rover mission until the middle of the next decade because of growing costs. The ExoMars mission was planned for launch in 2013, but European governments have tentatively agreed to push the rover's launch back to the next launch window, in 2016, in order to cope with cost estimates that have grown to as much as €1.2 billion (US$1.61 billion). Several national governments had expressed concern about the high price and threatened not to support the program in its current form. In addition to the schedule slip, the ExoMars price tag will be capped at €1.2 billion (US$1.35 billion). ESA will also reportedly seek greater cooperation with the US and/or Russia to lower the cost of the mission to Europe.
The European Space Agency is expected to push back the launch of an ambitious Mars rover mission until the middle of the next decade because of growing costs. The ExoMars mission was planned for launch in 2013, but European governments have tentatively agreed to push the rover's launch back to the next launch window, in 2016, in order to cope with cost estimates that have grown to as much as €1.2 billion (US$1.61 billion). Several national governments had expressed concern about the high price and threatened not to support the program in its current form. In addition to the schedule slip, the ExoMars price tag will be capped at €1.2 billion (US$1.35 billion). ESA will also reportedly seek greater cooperation with the US and/or Russia to lower the cost of the mission to Europe.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 12
Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
ESA — 10:27 am ET (1527 GMT) Our spaceship has arrived: Museum of Flight takes delivery of Soyuz capsule
GeekWire — 9:01 am ET (1401 GMT) Glenn reflects on his mission, future of space
Zanesville (OH) Times-Recorder — 8:59 am ET (1359 GMT) A lawyer's idea of marketing
Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News — 8:59 am ET (1359 GMT) 'Hang me for so-called omission... but let them go through democratic process'
Indian Express — 8:57 am ET (1357 GMT) |