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$4M NASA Cut May Strand Mars Rover

Posted Mar 24, 08 8:38 PM CDT in Technology,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – NASA confirmed and denied plans today to scuttle a Mars rover and fire 300 employees, CNN reports. The space agency first announced a $4 million cut to the Mars program's $20 million budget and vowed to unplug one of two rovers roaming the red planet. Then a NASA spokesman told CNN that "the cancellation of the Mars Exploration Rovers is not under consideration."

"There is a process that has to be followed," he said. "There is an ongoing budget review within the agency's Mars exploration program." The proposed cut would offset overruns on a new rover called the Mars Science Laboratory; the program faces another $8 million cut for fiscal year 2009. For now NASA has two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, combing the planet's rocky soil for signs of water.

Source CNN

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NASA's Mars Rover Opportunity snaps a picture after a long drive. Opportunity will continue to rove, but its sister vehicle, Spirit, will be put to sleep following a $4M budget cut.   (AP Photo/NASA)
Due to a looming $4 million budget cut, NASA is suspending its Mars rover, Spirit, and laying off 300 scientists.   (AP Photo/NASA, FILE)
This NASA drawing shows the Mars Science Laboratory, a mobile robot for investigating Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life. The Lab is slotted to launch next year.   (AP Photo/NASA, HO)
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