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Opinion
Nature 402, 563 (9 December 1999) | doi:10.1038/45012
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Building on failed planetary missions
Abstract
The apparent failure of a Mars probe underscores NASA's difficulties in pursuing planetary exploration. Planetary scientists must be allowed to build a credible programme of missions on the bedrock of continuing public support.
The likely fate of the Mars Polar Lander, coming on top of September's loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter, again calls into question the 'better, faster, cheaper' approach to planetary missions that the US space agency NASA has embraced under the leadership of its director, Dan Goldin (see page 565, and Nature 402, 217; 1999). It also highlights the formidable technical challenges that confront attempts to probe the red planet.
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