Skip to footer

Europa or bust? Maybe not. Top 9 priorities for planetary research missions

9. Discovery-class missions

  • By Pete Spotts Staff writer

These low-cost missions occur on too short a time-table to set priorities, and they can be sparked by results from other longer-term missions. Because Discovery-class and the larger New Frontiers-class missions launch more frequently than the big-ticket projects that top the list of priorities, the NRC panel recommends that if future budgets get too tight, the flagship missions should become the first casualties.

9 of 10
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us