The ENTIRE Mars Express mission (Europe's first to hopefully land on another planet) will cost around $353 million, according to this new article:
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/soyuz_launch_030602.html
As of a few months ago, NASA's mission (two landers, as opposed to a lander and an orbiter which involve less cost-saving duplicity) will cost taxpayers over $800 million. But there have been more NASA cost overruns since then, so prices are almost surely higher. Either way, we can expect plenty of jealous insults regarding the European mission from the NASA contractor clique during upcoming months and (if Europe's successful) well beyond. I wonder how much cheaper prices would be if only ESA offered competitive prizes like DARPA's doing, though...
Space/Science » in reply to Great Googly Moogly, The Europeans have some splainin' to do.
The ENTIRE Mars Express mission will cost around $353 million. NASA's redundant twin rovers: OVER $800 million.
The whole thread (28 posts)
- Great Googly Moogly, The Europeans have some splainin' to do.
- C'mon guys...ease up a bit.
- The ENTIRE Mars Express mission will cost around $353 million. NASA's redundant twin rovers: OVER $800 million.
- One of the ways Mars Express will save money...
- Wait until AFTER Mars Express has successfully orbited Mars and ....
- Japan's Nozomi Mars Mission cost just $86 million
- Good thing Space Daily isn't running the show
- When ESA offers competitive prizes (like DARPA), they'll achieve more
- re: Great Googly Moogly, The Europeans have some splainin' to do.