NASA Dawn asteroid mission told to ‘stand down’ Options

[Rakhir]

NASA Dawn Asteroid Mission Told To ‘Stand Down’ .

The decision to stand down, according to SPACE.com sources, appears related to budget-related measures and workforce cutbacks at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/051107_dawn_qown.html

Rakhir

[Guest_BruceMoomaw_*]

The stand-down will last for at least three months, until a decision is made. If there's a further cost overrun, the mission will be delayed into 2007 -- and if any new cost overrun exceeds $100 million, the mission goes into the dumpster.

I can tell you, by the way, that Andy Dantzler is furious at the Senate's attempt to retain the Discovery cost cap at $350 million.

[ljk4-1]

The stand-down will last for at least three months, until a decision is made.  If there's a further cost overrun, the mission will be delayed into 2007 -- and if any new cost overrun exceeds $100 million, the mission goes into the dumpster.

I can tell you, by the way, that Andy Dantzler is furious at the Senate's attempt to retain the Discovery cost cap at $350 million.

What would they do with the probe if the mission is cancelled? All that time and money for nothing?

[djellison]

What would they do with the probe if the mission is cancelled?  All that time and money for nothing?

To quote senior Nasa management during the pre-launch-MER-panic

"I think it'd look pretty damn good in the Smithsonian"



Doug