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Group Plans to Bring Martian Sample to Earth

Posted by samzenpus on from the plot-to-a-made-for-tv-movie dept.

sm62704 (mcgrew) writes "New Scientist has a story about IMARS (the International Mars Architecture for Return Samples) planning to bring samples of Martian soil to earth. The robotic mission would be a needed precursor to manned trips to the red planet. Also, international cooperation is necessary since the US has already nixed bankrolling manned Mars missions."

1 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Just plain stupid (proposed) law. by DougF · · Score: 3, Interesting
    From: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1012/1

    The House of Representatives version of HR 3093, the bill that determines NASA's funding for 2008, effectively bans the study of an entire planet:

    Provided, That none of the funds under this heading shall be used for any research, development, or demonstration activities related exclusively to the human exploration of Mars.

    The House committee report mentions the proposed prohibition: Finally, bill language is included prohibiting funding of any research, development, or demonstration activities related exclusively to the human exploration of Mars.

    Now, this leaves a loophole large enough to drive an M-1 Abrams through, but it's still just plain stupidity.

    --
    Impetuous! Homeric!