NASA has decided to cease funding priority Martian missions. To change the policy department said the resource Nature News. From now on projects to explore the Red Planet will compete for funding with other endeavors, American space agency, on equal terms. A long time to study the Martian was one of the most important activities of the agency. In particular, NASA has developed a series of relatively "modest" missions as the Mars Scout (This can be translated as "Martian scout"). Probe "Phoenix", which, in particular, managed to get water from the Martian soil, was the first project of Mars Scout.
In the near future, the American space agency plans to announce a competition of research projects Discovery. The winner will receive 425 million dollars. Compete for the receipt of the money will be able to projects aimed at exploring all planets of the solar system.
The main reason for the refusal of the Martian lines is the lack of funds. In the future, NASA plans to combine its efforts with the European Space Agency (ESA). In 2016, ESA intends to send to the Red Planet Mars ExoMars. The American Office is about to launch into orbit of Mars probe to analyze the gas composition of the atmosphere. According to NASA, the agency plans to lay down their available means to "pull" both projects.
In early 2009, NASA moved for an indefinite period the date of launch vehicle for Mars exploration Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The project cost is technically very well equipped with the probe increased by $ 60 million, and the agency budget does not allow him to finish the construction and testing of MSL in time.
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