NASA presses ahead for Mars rover launch in 2009

By ALICIA CHANG , AP Science Writer, Space & Earth science / Space Exploration

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)

Click here to enlarge image

(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.

Content from The Associated Press expires 15 days after original publication date. For more information about The Associated Press, please visit www.ap.org .

ť Next Article in Space & Earth science - Space Exploration: Mars Odyssey Shifting Orbit for Extended Mission

would you recommend this story?

User Rating

3.4 out of 5 after 7 total votes

not at all
1
2
3
4
5
highly

Leave a Comment or

Flag

Posted by earls 10/10/08 18:14

Rank: 3.5/5 after 2 votes

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.

Flag

Posted by Modernmystic 10/13/08 11:49

Not rated yet.

So what EXACTLY is this supposed to tell us that ten other missions already haven't, or failed to?