Stop laughing at the back..found something a little more concrete on this proposal.

I dont think anyone would argue that before comitting to the Exo-Mars rover design and the probably $500M+ pricetag, Europe should do something smaller in the Netlander class of mission - and everyones favorite side-burned prof - Colin Pillinger, has proposed something along those lines...

4Mb PDF on the mission

If that link fails - it's on This page

It seems a little overly complex in places - the deadbeat airbags seem like a recipe for a nightmare - but I'd like to hear Gary's words on the entry design and how it compares to the B2 design (page 13),

Unsure on the nano-rover design, looks like it would have to be teathered, and getting out past the collapsed airbags wont be easy.

BUT - if ESA is going to do Mars landings, I think something like this is a far better place to start than going straight into ExoMars.

Now - let the character assasination and lambasting begin ;)

Doug