Mars Mission Delayed Until 2011

NASA announced that it's over-budget Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover will be delayed by two years, to 2011, adding another $400 million to the cost of the mission and could delay other missions.  Technical problems are to blame for the delay.

According to newscientist.com, the nuclear-powered rover, which aims to test whether the planet is or once was capable of supporting life, was originally set to launch in October 2009.  Rushing to fix the problems would put the entire mission at risk, said NASA administrator Mike Griffin.  

The mission is already $300 million over its proposed budget of $1.6 million, established in 2006.  This delay could bring the cost of the mission near $2.2 billion.  Money to fund this may have to come from other Mars missions, this delaying or canceling their progress.

-Michael Strachan