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To the Moon and Beyond

Posted by michael on from the europe-has-the-initiative-the-US-lacks dept.

isorox writes "The BBC is reporting that 'Europe is considering sending humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond within the next few decades', although the UK government 'does not support human space flight and will not fund UK citizens to go through the official European astronaut training programme'. However while plans are made for the next 30 years, Rosetta is due to launch in 2 weeks time, ready to rendevous and land on a comet in 2011. Assuming it doesn't blow up on launch."

3 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. Question by MacAndrew · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How does the ESA decide which projects to pursue, how much to spend, and who will contribute what or get which contract?

    Give the political tussles that go on in the United States over such things, I can only think Europe with rivalries running back centuries would be quite challenging. On the other hand -- they seem to be doing quite well!

    1. Re:Question by KjetilK · · Score: 5, Interesting
      ESA has a Science Programme Committee that has the main say in which projects to pursue. The members are scientists from each of the member countries.

      To some extent, everything is politics, but the scientists of the ESA-SPC have generally been well focused on scientific merits, and on consensus within the scientific community.

      Who gets what contracts is on a different level, and I have no idea how that happens.

      --
      Employee of Inrupt, Project Release Manager and Community Manager for Solid
  2. Nice to see by bigberk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's good to see more interest in space travel and exploration. Doesn't anyone else think it's a bit stupid that nations spend so much money on weapons/military, just to cause that extra human suffering that makes life so grand... while we pass up the opportunity to explore what is undoubtedly the most fascinating and wonderful thing out there: space.

    Holy crap, aren't we a dumb bunch of talking apes. There's probably some pretty neat stuff out there beyond Earth...