>It is their own damn business and none of mine, since I am an American.
>
>Not sure that Pillinger is going to ESA/UK for cash, is he? Link?
>

He wants to put together a 2007 mission - and if it's going to happen, I'd imagine our government ( I'm a Brit ) and ESA are the prime sources for money. As a Brit who's damn proud of what Beagle 2 achieved in terms of engineering and education (I overheard kids in the queue of a shop discussing the communications strategy for Beagle 2 - and they looked to be about 12 ) - and as a Brit who's pissed off that in the USA - Space gets around £30 per capita per year, whereas in the UK it's more like £2.50 per capita per year - I've written to my MP (equiv. of a senator I guess) who's said he will raise the matter at government and is happy to back the project (probably because being in Leicester, we have a vested interest in the mission, seing as the University of Leicester built the PAW on B2, and would have a large part to play in any follow on)

Doug