With NASA Support Shaky, ExoMars To Limp Toward 2016 Launch

摘要

The European Space Agency (ESA) withdrew its proposal June 30 to begin full-scale work on a 2016 Mars orbiter mission with NASA following receipt of a letter from NASA's administrator saying the U.S. agency could not commit to a companion 2018 Mars rover mission, a senior ESA official said June 30. The decision by ESA Director-General Jeanjacques Dordain to remove the ExoMars contract decision from the agenda of ESA's Industrial Policy Committee, which met June 29-30, illustrates the continued instability of the joint ESA-NASA Mars exploration program, which in principle was decided two years ago.