Plymouth meeting leads to mission to Mars

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Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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This is Plymouth

SCIENTISTS from NASA and the European Space Agency agreed to work together on projects to explore Mars during a meeting in Plymouth, it was announced today.

International space experts met at the University of Plymouth at the end of June for a week-long space exploration conference and exhibition.

Today, in a joint statement, NASA and ESA said they had agreed to create a Mars Exploration Joint Initiative (MEJI) that will allow them to work together on Mars exploration projects.

At the meeting in Plymouth on June 29 and 30 it was recommended NASA and ESA establish MEJI, spanning launch opportunities in 2016, 2018 and 2020, with landers and orbiters conducting astrobiological, geological, geophysical and other high-priority investigations, and leading to the return of samples from Mars in the 2020's.

The director and associate administrator agreed to establish MEJI and continue studies to determine the most viable joint missions.

NASA and ESA also agreed to establish a joint team to assist the agencies in planning the missions.

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  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Albert Dock, Plymouth Earth

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 7:54PM

    “The Janners Mars Probe is only
    to try to disprove the fact that Mars has a better atmosphere than Home Park.
    The moon would be cheaper.
    No Atmosphere.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by A Martian, Mars

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 5:45PM

    “You come here with your rovers and your satellites without a by your leave. You crash around all over the place and leave litter. Just the other day my son tripped over the remains of one of your viking landers and injured one of his tentacles. Why don't you take your litter home you disgusting smelly humans. We of the Martian National Front say Mars for the Martians. We say no to illegal human immigration. We have enough problems with that mob from Saturn and don't get me started on all the Venusians who want to live here just because they mucked up there atmosphere with global warming. Keep out!”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by moon man, the moon

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 11:44AM

    “Nigel, Redruth is like mars, desolate and boring!”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Dan Dare, With the Mikon on Mars

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 10:41AM

    “Don't see what the fuss is all about. Getting to Mars - not exactly rocket science is it!!!!”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Nigel, Redruth, Cornwall

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 8:59AM

    “I thought scientists were more concerned about the Planet Earth's "climate change."

    And instead of all travelling to Plymouth. They would have used the wonders of the internet, from the comfort of their own establishments.

    Considering according to a Royal personage, there is not much time left. Before the Earth looks like either Venus or Mars?”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Shipmate Ron, Plymouth

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 8:57AM

    “What has Michael Jackson to do with it Julie?”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Alfie, Plymouth

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 7:48AM

    “Julie.Quote 'the great man in the sky would have allowed us to by now'. Your argument is meaningless. as it is true for for the very first time humans appeared on this planet to the present day.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Julie, Plymouth

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 7:33AM

    “George and Mick, agrre on both counts.If we were meant to go to Mars and beyond then the great man in the sky would have allowed us to by now

    There are far more important things to be ploughing money into like already mentioned hospitals schools etc”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Pearls of Wisdom, Plymouth

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 7:24AM

    “Planetary exploration has to start somewhere and it has to start from 'small beginnings'. It may save the human race from extinction in the distant future. My only regret is, that it is a pity that, we could not have have solved the problems here on Earth, with regard to peace, harmony and hunger, before we embarked on this venture.”

  • Profile image for This is Plymouth

    by Mick, Barbican

    Thursday, July 09 2009, 6:30AM

    “Quote- "projects to explore Mars"

    Waste of time if you ask me, it's just a useless ball of red dust and grit”

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