NASA presses ahead for Mars rover launch in 2009

October 10th, 2008 By ALICIA CHANG , AP Science Writer

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This artist\'s rendering released by NASA shows the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory on the surface of Mars. Will NASA's flagship mission to Mars fly next year? The space agency could decide as early as Friday whether to cancel, delay or proceed with plans to launch a nuclear-powered, SUV-size rover to the red planet. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

(AP) -- NASA has decided to press ahead with plans to launch a big new rover to Mars next year. Friday's decision comes after concerns were raised about the budget and technical progress for the Mars Science Laboratory.

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• earls - Oct 10, 2008
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  Awesome, I heard rumors this project might bite the dust, I'm excited to hear it's moving forward, especially with a vehicle of such magnitude that will allow far greater freedom to learn about Mars.
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• Modernmystic - Oct 13, 2008
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  So what EXACTLY is this supposed to tell us that ten other missions already haven't, or failed to?
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