‘Frustration’ in Europe over joint Mars probe – Nasa

The US has failed to commit to plans for an unmanned joint Mars mission with the European space agency, causing frustration abroad, said top Nasa officials.

At issue is a 2009 agreement to develop an ESA-US ExoMars Mission in 2016 and 2018 which would measure methane in the Martian atmosphere and collect rock and soil samples to eventually return to earth for the first time.

The project has been named as a top priority flagship mission by the US National Academy of Sciences’ Decadal Survey, which sets out a plan for Nasa space exploration even as lawmakers bicker over federal budget details year by year.

“It can only be done, as the Decadal Survey states, if Nasa is able to reduce the cost to less than $2.5 billion,” said Jim Green, Planetary Science Division director.

“We recognise in this environment of difficult budget situation that we are in, that compromises have to be made, decisions have to be executed that are based on the Administration’s priority,” he added.

According to Steve Squyres, chairman of the Nasa Advisory Council, the budget guidelines set forth by OMB are adequate for the mission to go forward.

“To date, however, the Administration has not committed to this partnership,” he said.

“The designs of the missions are being revamped so that the Decadal recommendations can be followed and yet there is no commitment being made. I am perplexed.”

In June, Nasa asked ESA to participate in a joint review to maximise resources, and the review is currently under way.