NASA to push ahead with Mars Lab launch

By Brian Berger

updated 5:59 p.m. ET Oct. 10, 2008

NASA will push ahead with its plan for an October 2009 launch of the already over-budget Mars Science Laboratory despite ongoing technical and schedule difficulties all but certain to push the cost of the mission past $2 billion.

Officials in charge of NASA's Mars program made the announcement Friday following a meeting with NASA Administrator Mike Griffin to discuss what to do about the mission in light of continued cost growth. MSL's price tag has risen $300 million since mid-2006 topping $1.9 billion in NASA's latest public estimate.

Doug McCuistion, the director of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, said MSL will need more than $1.9 billion whether it launches as planned in October 2009 or is delayed two years until the next optimal launch window opens in 2011. McCuistion said NASA was not at liberty to say how much additional money MSL would need until it has a chance to square its budget needs with the White House and Congress.

NASA Mars officials are due to meet with Griffin about MSL again in January. By that time, McCuistion said, MSL officials expect to show that some key hardware and software deliveries holding up the project have been made and that testing has continued to go well.

While NASA could still decide to cancel MSL, NASA's associate administrator for science, Ed Weiler, described that as an unlikely scenario.

"It's easy to say, 'let's just cancel it and move on' but we've poured over a billion-and-half dollars into this," Weiler said. "The science is critical. It's a flagship mission in the Mars program and as long as we think we have a good technical chance to make it we are going to do what we have to do."

Weiler said he would look for additional money for MSL in the Mars budget before putting the pinch on the rest of NASA's planetary science portfolio.

MORE FROM TECHNOLOGY & MONEY

Technology & Money Section Front

Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road Living on the road full-time: Is it right for you? Do you need a mini money makeover?   Insider shares shopping secrets   Ford unveils inflatable seat belts   Experts offer financial advice Recession over? Readers don't believe it   How to deal with rising credit card rates   U.K. gets tough on distracted drivers   College dorms get an upgrade Technology & Money Section Front   Add Technology & Money headlines to your news reader: