Agency Reviews Earlier Cancellation

Maybe they should call it the Black Knight... because NASA's Dawn program refuses to die.

In an unusual move, NASA is reviewing its decision earlier this month to scrap the asteroid research mission, originally set to launch in spring 2007, after scientists -- along with the center that is managing the program, Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA -- protested so vehemently that NASA was almost forced to take another look at the mission.

Additionally, JPL presented what NASA called "new evidence" that convinced the agency to review the Dawn program, the agency said in a prepared statement. It's the first time in recent memory that a NASA center has challenged a headquarters decision on a canceled mission, said NASA spokeswoman Erica Hupp to the Associated Press.

Prior to its cancellation on March 2, Dawn had been placed on stand down after cost overruns and technical glitches came to NASA's attention.

While Dawn has since been given a reprieve, it may prove to be short-lived -- especially as NASA continues to look for all the funds it can to support remaining flights of the space shuttle, as well as the upcoming CEV.

Nevertheless, Dawn may still fly in 2007. Or, it might be cancelled yet again. Stay tuned.

FMI: http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov