Lunar News Network

Water Once Filled Mars Opportunity Rover Landing Site - Space
The landing site of the Mars rover Opportunity was once drenched with water, providing an environment that could have supported life, NASA scientists announced at a press conference today.

Air Force leader discusses U.S. space program - Air Force Link
The executive agent for space testified before the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on strategic forces Feb. 25 on the status of America's space program.

Science Watch - Scotsman
Two orbiting American spacecraft, Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey have now been joined by Europe’s Mars Express. Meanwhile on the Martian surface a pair of six-wheeled golf buggies fitted with eyes and mechanical arms are exploring different sides of the planet. All these missions have the same common aim – to find evidence that might support the existence of life on the Red Planet.

The Bush Space Initiative: The Details

Here is a list of the specifics of the Bush plan:
•Spend $12 billion on new space exploration plan over next five years. $1bn will be new money, the rest reallocated from existing NASA programs.
•Retire shuttle program by 2010
•Develop new manned exploration vehicle
•Launch manned mission to moon between 2015 and 2020
•Build permanent lunar base as "stepping stone" for more ambitious missions
•Complete commitments to International Space Station by 2010
Source: White House

Bush's space vision causes concerns - CNN
Skeptical senators grilled NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe on Wednesday on whether President Bush's vision of returning astronauts to the Moon and exploring Mars is feasible in light of strained federal budgets.

Science Watch - Scotsman
Two orbiting American spacecraft, Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey have now been joined by Europe’s Mars Express.Meanwhile on the Martian surface a pair of six-wheeled golf buggies fitted with eyes and mechanical arms are exploring different sides of the planet. All these missions have the same common aim – to find evidence that might support the existence of life on the Red Planet.

Culture Slowly Changing at NASA - AP
As NASA sets aside Thursday as a day to remember the dead and reflect on its mistakes, its redemption for Columbia goes on, moving forward in small, sometimes barely perceptible ways.

British scientists plan new Mars mission - New Zealand Herald
British scientists have begun planning a "Beagle 3" mission to Mars for launch in 2007, even as they try their final attempt to contact the missing Beagle 2 lander.

NASA: One Year After Columbia -- Bush's New Vision Changes Agency's Course Mid-Stream - Yahoo News
When U.S. President George W. Bush unveiled a new space exploration vision for NASA Jan. 14, he pledged the United States to complete assembly of the international space station by 2010 and then retire the shuttle fleet. For now, NASA may have more questions than answers about how this new future plays out. But some matters are becoming clearer by the day.