Mars Exploration Joint Initiative
The Mars Exploration Joint Initiative (MEJI, English for initiative for the joint exploration of Mars) is an agreement between the US space agency NASA and the European ESA . It was signed in 2009. The agreement regulates the extent to which know-how and resources for the exploration of the planet Mars can be used jointly by the two space agencies in the future . A number of joint missions were also agreed under the agreement; sometimes the Mars Exploration Joint Initiative also refers to the missions involved. The agreement was signed in Washington, DC in October 2009 .
The missions are primarily aimed at astrobiological , geological and geophysical goals. In addition, the long-term goal of a sample return mission ( Mars Sample Return ) in the 2020s is formulated in the contract.
background
Initial talks on an agreement for joint exploration of the red planet took place in December 2008 after the ESA Council of Ministers proposed to seek international support for the ExoMars project . At the same time it became clear to NASA that the Mars Science Laboratory mission would be delayed by two years, which is why NASA had to revise its schedule for the following Mars probes .
swell
- ↑ a b Jonathan Amos: Nasa and Esa sign Mars agreement. BBC.com, November 8, 2009, accessed August 18, 2010 .
- ^ A b Michael A. Taverna: NASA, ESA Set Up Mars Exploration Framework. AviationWeek, July 10, 2009, accessed August 18, 2010 .