The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter is going to follow up on this recent MGS water story.
Having several very capable orbiters and a pair of rovers on the surface is really working out quite well. Just imagine what we could learn if we spend that silly Moon base's budget on a few hundred more robots circling and landing on Mars and other solar system bodies.
Posted by: Nick Greene | December 8, 2006 1:44 PM
I think the moon base is an ok idea actually. I feel we need to be getting off the planet and a moon base is definately a step in the direction of permanent non-Earth based settlement.
Instead of imagining the canibalization of the NASA budget lets imagine what NASA could do with the 290 BILLION wasted on the Iraq war.
Posted by: tony | December 9, 2006 3:30 PM
"Just imagine what we could learn if we spend that silly Moon base's budget on a few hundred more robots circling and landing on Mars and other solar system bodies."
While I agree to a certain extent, unfortunately, the powers that be have decided this is the path they're going to take. If it means we have to put up with some waste along the way, I'm just excited about the possibilities for future manned Mars exploration.
I guess part of what I'm saying, is that I'd rather see some misguided spending than to see NASA lose funding.