FY 2008 NASA Mars Exploration Funding Options

[monitorlizard]

Nasawatch.com has just posted a news item entitled "Senate Subcommittee Approves 2008 Funds for Energy, Justice" with the following statement:

"unlike the House bill, the Senate version does not include language blocking NASA from pursuing exploration of Mars"

I was shocked when I first read this, but then thought that they are most likely referring to HUMAN exploration of Mars (Project Constellation). Even that would be a disappointment if the block were to be successful (funding for manned Mars planning would be so low at this point that one wonders why Congress would even bother to ban it). Still, the superficial interpretation of the statement is that all Mars exploration would be blocked. It would be a relief to have confirmation that the House is not trying to eliminate unmanned Mars exploration. Anyone have further info?