[FPSPACE] NASA delaying and killing space science projects

[LARRY KLAES]

Planetary Society Charges Administration with Blurring its Vision for Space 
Exploration

The Planetary Society Cites Cancelled Plans for a Europa and Other Science 
Missions

Pasadena, CA, — The NASA Budget released today shortchanges space science in 
order to fund 17 projected space shuttle flights. Despite recent spectacular 
results from NASA's science programs, this budget puts the brakes on their 
growth within the agency. It seriously damages the hugely productive and 
successful robotic exploration of our solar system and beyond.

According to this budget, flight projects that were already underway, such 
as the Space Interferometry Mission, will be delayed. Others, such as the 
Terrestrial Planet Finder and a mission to Jupiter's moon Europa, will be 
deferred indefinitely. Furthermore, the new budget slashes funding for the 
fundamental space science that makes such missions possible and turns raw 
data into discoveries.

http://www.planetary.org/about/press/releases/2006/0206_Planetary_Society_Charges.html