NASA Pulling Out of ESA-led ExoMars Mission? 144
astroengine writes "It's a strange irony that to afford the expense of space exploration, international collaboration is often sought after — spreading the cost across several international partners means the biggest space missions may be accomplished. And yet in times of austerity, national budgets balk at the prospect of investing in international projects like ExoMars. Sadly, that's exactly what could be facing the ambitious ESA-led Mars rover/satellite mission if NASA's Science Mission Directorate budget is slashed in the next financial year. NASA may pull out of the project, leaving ExoMars with no rockets or a means to actually land on Mars. Could Russia help out? Possibly, but it will still lead to ESA taking on more cost than it has budgeted for."
Re:Stating one of the obvious comments (Score:5, Funny)
What better way to secretly test ICBMs than claim they're supposed to go into orbit?
Re:But the military... (Score:3, Funny)
"annual $5 Billion budget"
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You fucking WISH the number was that low! $5 billion per year is NOTHING compared to the actual military budget.
Wow, thanks for that. I really needed a good laugh.
Re:Space/X (Score:5, Funny)
The cheapest and best original thinking in the space race is currently at Space/X.
And the biggest schedule slippage.
Yeah, its amazing how NASA hit its goal of men on Mars in 1984, got the shuttle flying on time and under budget, AND had the ISS finished before the start of the 90's at cost! Why would anyone look anywhere else!?