Star Trek

Discovery's website has this facinating article about a plan for a mission to Europa:

http://discovermagazine.com/2009....t=0&-C=

From what I see, looks like the search to seek out new life can start in our own solar system.

Given the cost overruns of the Ares program that might conflict with real good science like this, I say NASA better switch gears to the more affordable side-mount launcher.
Ares 1 itself isn't worth the cost for what it's supposed to do, IMO.

With a possible mission to Europa as described, who knows what we might find?

I strongly hope for a liquid ocean under all that ice, as it's the better chance for life.
We just have to wait and see what happens.

They always did say Europa was like a picture of Earth six billion years ago. Can't wait.

But with the recession and all, I heard NASA lost it's funding for some time. No planned launch date for this mission?

Actually, Earth is compared to Titan, not Europa.

And that would be 4 billion years ago.
At 6 billion years, all was still a nebula in our solar system!

I haven't heard how the current recession (which is claimed to have already reached bottom, and now is on it's way to recovery (so say the financial "experts")) is effecting NASA.
I have heard that the recent comission on human spaceflight does say NASA will need more funding if it is to meet it's stated goals.

As for this Europa mission, from what I gather, this is something that's just being discussed, but not definitive.
It's sort of how the Galileo and Cassini missions came to be; scientists start off by discussing what it is they'd like to do first.

Well, I hope it all goes well.