They say a picture's worth a thousand words, but here's a story that that gorgeous European photo of Mars doesn't tell:
ESA's latest Mars mission cost $353 million. NASA's cost over $800 million, and arguably doesn't provide nearly twice the science or payback either. Meanwhile, unlike NASA (which has a larger budget than all the rest of the world's space agencies COMBINED, by the way) ESA doesn't have an economy of scale regarding Mars missions. If anything, one would think that ESA would charge more because they're new at this game.
Do I advocate reducing how much the USA spends on space? Definitely NOT. Do I advocate NASA's budget going to funding competitive prizes though? You bet.
http://www.spaceprojects.com/prizes
It's time clever engineers and scientists can make millions regarding Mars, and it's not going to happen under the current paradigm.
Space/Science » in reply to Mars Express: Mars from 5.5 million kilometres
ESA's latest Mars mission costs $353 million. NASA's: over $800 million.
The whole thread (26 posts)
- Mars Express: Mars from 5.5 million kilometres
- Here's hoping for a successful mission
- This is wonderful, history! in the making.
- re: Mars Express: Mars from 5.5 million kilometres
- More color images of Mars to come.
- ESA's latest Mars mission costs $353 million. NASA's: over $800 million.
- re: Gees, one mission at ESA ~$400 million and two NASA missions at ~$800 million. How Strange! (n/t)
- re: "ESA doesn't have an economy of scale regarding Mars missions. If anything, one would think that ESA would charge more because they're new at this game."
- Wait until after Mars Express is on orbit....
- Can't you shut up for five seconds and just enjoy the view? (n/t)