NRC urges NASA to prioritize flights to Mars, Europa, Uranus

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Itar-Tass) - Space flights to Mars, Europa,
Jupiter's satellite, and Uranus must become NASA's chief priorities for
the coming decade. This conclusion is contained in a new report issued by
the US National Research Council (NRC) on Monday.
According to the study, to launch an unmanned spacecraft to Mars must
be one of the main missions. The purpose of such a space probe could be to
study how Martian climate changed and whether there have been any
conditions for the existence of life there. However, the researchers'
opinion is that such a flight can be made only provided its cost for NASA
will be not more than $2,500 million, which is $1,000 million less than
estimates of the mission by independent experts.
Second down the list of space research priorities is a flight to
Europa, Jupiter's satellite, where life can exist as well. However, NRC
members' view is that this project is estimated at $4,700 million which
may prove an impracticable amount for the US space agency.
The cost of a flight to Uranus may be cheaper almost by half --
$2,700 million. Such a space mission is third on the list of the main
tasks that NASA will encounter in the near future, scientists maintain