Mars rover mission may require more funding before launch
Posted: Thu, Jun 9, 2011, 8:04 AM ET (1204 GMT)
A report by NASA's inspector general warned that the agency's latest Mars rover mission may require additional funding in order to be ready for launch later this year. The report, by NASA's Office of the Inspector General, found that the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission underestimated its costs by $44 million, and without additional funding the mission could miss its launch window late this year, forcing a two-year delay. MSL, also known as Curiosity, already missed its original launch window in 2009 in order because of development delays. Project officials said after the report's release that they believed the rover was still on track to launch this year, but would likely spend all $22 million of budgeted reserves to do so.
A report by NASA's inspector general warned that the agency's latest Mars rover mission may require additional funding in order to be ready for launch later this year. The report, by NASA's Office of the Inspector General, found that the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission underestimated its costs by $44 million, and without additional funding the mission could miss its launch window late this year, forcing a two-year delay. MSL, also known as Curiosity, already missed its original launch window in 2009 in order because of development delays. Project officials said after the report's release that they believed the rover was still on track to launch this year, but would likely spend all $22 million of budgeted reserves to do so.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, March 17
INNOSPACE Identifies Cause of HANBIT-Nano Mission Termination Through Joint Investigation with Brazil’s CENIPA
INNOspace — 5:27 am ET (0927 GMT) ESA-enabled helical antenna innovations boost space-based connectivity
ESA — 5:27 am ET (0927 GMT) Innospace Identifies Gas Leak as Cause of Aborted Launch
Chosun Ilbo — 5:24 am ET (0924 GMT) Canada Leases Space Port in Bid to Break Reliance on US Rockets Like Musk’s SpaceX
Bloomberg News — 5:22 am ET (0922 GMT) 'Big Short' investor Michael Burry flags criticism of proposed rule change to fast-track SpaceX joining the Nasdaq
Business Insider — 5:21 am ET (0921 GMT) |
