NASA spent 425 million for the new space program

Popular Science newspaper said that one of the 3 selected projects will be granted a budget of up to 425 million USD (not including rocket launchers).

The US Aeronautics and Aeronautics Agency said that three key space programs will be selected including: Geophysical Monitoring Station (GEMS), this program will help The scientist studies the inner structure of Mars.

Model of geophysical observation station on Mars. Photo: NASA.

The second program is called 'Comet Flea ' (Comet Hopper). As its name suggests, this project will enable NASA to easily approach comets while observing the change of comets under the interaction with the Sun.

The third program is called 'Titan Moon Explorer' (The Titan Mare Explorer, TiME for short). This device will float on the 'ocean' surface of Moon Titan, Saturn's big moon. If this program is successful it will help scientists answer a big question whether the inside of the moon has water.

NASA also said that their new space programs are all low-priced, but the value it offers is enormous.

Along with the new space exploration program, NASA will also offer and select three space engineering development programs. These three programs include: NEOCam telescope , which seeks to find asteroids that fly near Earth's orbit; The device searches for primitive materials PriME , which is responsible for studying comet components and their effects on bringing water and other components to Earth; The Whipple system , which aims to test new ways to find planets outside the Solar System.

NASA said, although these technical development programs are just small tasks in the general plan, the developed techniques are extremely advanced.

These three technical development programs will be supported with $ 3 million for initial research and testing. In the following year, in 2012, NASA will conduct a review and make a final choice.