Scientists Want Reusable Space Vehicle, Better Satellites

As NASA hopes to remove itself from a financial burden that overpromised and never fully delivered -- the space shuttle -- to focus on expendable space vehicles for the next generation of astronauts, the agency's counterparts in the European Space Agency are hoping they can learn from lessons the shuttle taught America in developing their own "space plane."

ESA council members met Monday in Berlin to review the agency's 2006-2008 budget, which scientists hope includes funding for a mission to seek out life on Mars -- as well as a joint program with the Russians to develop a reusable space vehicle.

The agency has requested $10.3 billion for the three-year period from its 17 member states and Canada, according to the Associated Press, which is in line with the 2005 budget of approximately $3.5 billion.

The council is expected to approve a budget late Tuesday afternoon.

ESA also hopes to delve deeper into the private sector, by demonstrating the capabilities of a next-generation communications satellite technology. Also on the table is increased coordination with the European Union, as well as a separate "Buy European" initiative meant to promote the use of European launch companies and suppliers when possible.

FMI: www.esa.int