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Jupiter in space agencies' sights Jupiter in space agencies' sights
(10 minutes later)
Nasa and the European Space Agency have decided to forge ahead with an ambitious plan to send a probe to the Jupiter system and its icy moon Europa.Nasa and the European Space Agency have decided to forge ahead with an ambitious plan to send a probe to the Jupiter system and its icy moon Europa.
The proposal could be the agencies' next "flagship" endeavour, to follow on from the successful Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system.The proposal could be the agencies' next "flagship" endeavour, to follow on from the successful Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system.
Space officials from the agencies were considering the the Jupiter mission and a venture to the moons of Saturn. Officials had been considering the Jupiter mission and a venture to Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus.
The Europa mission will go ahead with an earlier flight opportunity in mind. They are targeting an earlier flight opportunity for the Europa mission.
But Nasa and Esa will also plan for the potential mission to Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus. But Nasa and Esa will also plan for the potential mission to Saturn's moons.
The decision was made last week at a meeting in Washington DC.The decision was made last week at a meeting in Washington DC.
Scientists and engineers from the space agencies carefully studied both potential missions.Scientists and engineers from the space agencies carefully studied both potential missions.
They decided it was most technically feasible to do the Europa Jupiter System Mission first.They decided it was most technically feasible to do the Europa Jupiter System Mission first.
But Esa's Solar System Working Group decided that, based on scientific merit, there was little to separate this venture from the Titan Saturn System Mission.But Esa's Solar System Working Group decided that, based on scientific merit, there was little to separate this venture from the Titan Saturn System Mission.
They therefore recommended, with Nasa's agreement, that both missions move forward for further study and implementation.They therefore recommended, with Nasa's agreement, that both missions move forward for further study and implementation.
Ed Weiler, associate administrator for Nasa's science mission directorate in Washington DC, commented: "Although the Jupiter system mission has been chosen to proceed to an earlier flight opportunity, a Saturn system mission clearly remains a high priority for the science community."
Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukPaul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk