International Cooperation in regards to Mars Missions

This article is a press release from the US Department of State, and it focuses on international cooperation on current and future Mars Missions. The two main actors are NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). This press release explains the current missions that these agonies are undergoing, as well as plans to search for life on Mars. This release is not very substantive.

China Moves Forth

China is continuing to expand the scope of its space program. It is planning a mission to the Moon and talks of missions to Mars are in the works as well. This article gives a detailed description of all the specific tools and measurements the Chinese plan to take on this mission.

Congress and Money

This is an interesting article highlighting key decisions Congress made for NASA's 2008 budget. Despite the huge budget cut from the 2007, Congress approved a 3% increase in funding for 2008. It is interesting to speculate the motives behind large government funding decisions. This article is definitely pro-NaSA and would like as much funding as possible, but the reasons are probably different than Congress. Congress wants to make sure NASA has enough money so it can hold its ground with other large superpowers (China, Russia, and upcoming Iran), but scientists and proponents for NASA want funding to support research and development (to find life outside earth or to colonize Mars). It all boils down to the political vs. scientific reasons. However, the extra funding will kill two birds with one stone and everyone can have what they desire. Scientists will continue to research space technology, and the US will hold its ground in the international space community. If everyone gets what they want, do the motivations even matter?