tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post4992354724503661973..comments2024-01-03T20:28:17.727-08:00Comments on Future Planetary Exploration: Retreat From Mars?Van Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-38551294206393176712011-12-05T15:23:53.800-08:002011-12-05T15:23:53.800-08:00vk -
40-50% of the next decade budget sounds bett...vk -<br /><br />40-50% of the next decade budget sounds better than I thought, considering that there were even rumors of Cassini cancellation before the end of the extended mission.<br />Still, the figure above should include the possibility of large cost overruns (quite likely in a project this complex) and the fact that ESA might not come to the party (not impossible considering the EU troubles).<br /><br />I'd really draw the line to MSL finding at least a good signal for organics and, possibly, some other good life indicators.Enzonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-40164005365027309952011-12-05T00:45:22.721-08:002011-12-05T00:45:22.721-08:00The science and technology had developed very vast...The science and technology had developed very vast growth and NASA scientists are giving good knowledge about it . <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://jobduties.blogspot.com//" rel="nofollow">Sample Survey</a>Kayden tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04077047042321732977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-24200387255988711302011-11-30T22:35:16.054-08:002011-11-30T22:35:16.054-08:00Enzo -
The science community, JPL, and NASA's...Enzo -<br /><br />The science community, JPL, and NASA's science division have laid out the case and the plan to justify and implement Mars sample return in terms of a balanced program.<br /><br />Scientifically, the science community, through the Decadal Survey has made the case that the expenditure spread over a couple of decades is compelling and can fit within a balanced program.<br /><br />The Decadal Survey estimate for the sample return was ~$8.5B. With collaboration with ESA, the expense would be ~$1.5B this decade (plus about the same from ESA). That would leave around $6B for the next decade, of which ESA might contribute ~$2B. The remaining $4B might be 40-50% of the budget for new missions if funding is similar to that projected for this decade.<br /><br />While the science community has made its case, it is a similar one to that made for the last 20 years. It was not compelling then and if press reports are correct now, it may not be compelling now -- at least with OMB. However, Congress appears to have bought the argument to at least proceed with the first elements of the sample return, the 2016 orbiter and 2018 rover missions. Whether that is based on the fact that they are excellent science missions whether or not samples are ever return, or the sample return is compelling, or some mixture, I don't know.Van Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-27303488554556250352011-11-30T13:24:01.412-08:002011-11-30T13:24:01.412-08:00From previous postings, I seem to remember that a ...From previous postings, I seem to remember that a Mars sample return could cost ~$6B. Now, in the current climate, that kind of expenditure would probably shut down the whole unmanned exploration program. No Europa, no Titan, no Enceladus, etc.<br />For this reason, I can only see it justified if life or past life is found by MSL.<br />It's not just because it's a lot of money "for just a bunch or rocks", it's because of the proportion of the whole expenditure available.Enzonoreply@blogger.com