New mars rover Mars Science Laboratory threatens projects NASA (PHOTO)

The American space agency plans to cut down financing of some space missions to Mars, the Moon and objects of Solar system because of high cost of new mars rover Mars Science Laboratory. News service Nature News informs On it referring to sources in agency.

Computer model of probe Mars Science Laboratory. Illustration NASA/JPL

Now cost of a new mars rover is estimated almost in 2,3 billion dollars. It almost on 700 million dollars more than has been planned to allocate for this program in 2006. Experts of agencies are afraid, that it is far not a limit - the further system engineering of the new device promises to become even more zatratnoy.

So, the decision to pass to liquid greasing in the basic manipulator of a probe earlier was accepted. As a result there are fears, that existing models of engines in the manipulator cannot work with the given type of greasing. If it so engineers should develop new engines. It was besides, found out, that scientific tools onboard the device consume much more energy, than was considered till now. As a result batteries bolshego the size, than what are in the project be required to a mars rover.

According to officials to estimate prospective excess of the budget it is not obviously possible yet - exact figures will appear after check in November, 2009. However already now it is possible to say, that the over-expenditure will make from 15 to 115 million dollars. Thus, if NASA can keep the given over-expenditure more close to a mark in 15 million any special consequences it is not expected: probably the agency should reduce some other Martian missions planned on 2016, 2018 and 2020.

However, if the over-expenditure appears more close to a mark in 115 million dollars under reduction many perspective programs will get. So, for example, can will not take place start of lunar device LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer), planned for 2012. The purpose of the given mission is studying of atmosphere of the terrestrial companion, and also properties of a lunar dust. The budget of program New Frontiers in which frameworks it is planned to start the whole series concerning inexpensive devices to various objects Colnechnoy of system can be besides cut down.

Mars Science Laboratory represents a space vehicle of new generation. Onboard a mars rover (which weight more than tons) are established a number of unique tools, including a special drill which is intended for drilling of a surface of the Red planet. Onboard the equipment will feed a radio isotope energy source - the system transforming into the electric power of warmly radioactive disintegration of elements. More recently within the limits of competition among schoolboys the mars rover has received a name "Curiosity" (Curiosity). To start a mars rover it is planned in 2011.

On materials: “Lenta.ru”