£2m UK Space Agency funding for Mars exploration projects
The UK Space Agency has announced it will provide a total of £2m for nine science projects associated with Mars exploration.
According to a statement, the scheme will enhance the UK’s science capabilities; help the UK understand the Martian environment; and give scientists the opportunity to search for traces of past and present life.
‘This initiative demonstrates the continuing strength and relevance of UK planetary science,’ said Dr Dave Parker, director of technology science and exploration at the UK Space Agency. ‘The UK should be proud to have such a dynamic research community and we are delighted to support researchers at the forefront of exploring the Red Planet.’
Two of the awards will enable UK researchers to benefit from NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The new US rover — ‘Curiosity’ — is due to land on Mars in August 2012, and will deliver vital data for scientists assessing the viability of life on the planet.
Imperial College’s Prof Sanjeev Gupta is a participating scientist in this mission and has secured UK Space Agency funding for his work analysing the evolution of the Martian surface.
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