Trump mulls slashing funds to NASA's longest-running Mars orbiter- '2001 Mars Odyssey'

In a major setback to NASA's mars ambitions, President Trump's 2021 annual budget has proposed cuts to 2001 mars Odyssey mission, as per international reports. Reports stated that Trump ministration has also threatened NASA missions like jet-borne telescope SOFIA and has proposed to reduce Odyssey's budget to a million dollars - effectively ending mission.  This development comes amidst US Congress proposing a bill urging NASA to push back its moon landing mission to 2028 inste of 2024 and focus on Mars.

New Mars rover for July launch named Perseverance

What does 2001 Mars Odyssey do?

Launched in April 2001 is a orbiter mission that was armed with spectrometers and a rmal imr to detect evidence of water and ice on red planet, as well as to study planet's geology and riation environment. By 2008, Mars Odyssey h mapped basic distribution of water below shallow surface and NASA's Phoenix lander confirmed presence of water on Mars. By December 15, 2010, it broke record for longest-serving craft at Mars, with 3,340 days of operation, claiming title from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and currently hold same title.

NASA scientist concedes 'X will land on Mars first', before planned 2020 rover launch

X's Mars plans

While NASA's Mars plans are threatened, X has alrey anunced its aspiration to send its first cargo mission to Mars in 2022. While X's first mission with its aircraft 'Starship' is aimed at confirming resources, identifying hazards and to place initial power, mining and life support infrastructure, second mission will carry both cargo and crew and is scheduled for 2024. second mission is aimed at building a propellant depot for future crew flights beginning foundation of first Mars Base - which Musk hopes to evolve into a self-sustaining civilization.

Elon Musk blames NASA's bureaucracy as new US bill threatens to delay 2024 moon mission

NASA's Mars 2020 rover

NASA is currently gearing for Mars 2020 rover named 'Perseverance' is based on its predecessor 'Curiosity' which was launched in 2011. car-sized rover which is about 10 feet long,  9 feet wide, and 7 feet tall weighs 1050 kgs, which is less than a compact car. official launch window of mission is July 17- August 5, 2020, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. rover is expected to land on February 18, 2021, at Jezero Crater, Mars. mission is expected to last for about 687 Earth days which is one Mars year.

NASA asks people to name next Mars rover, netizens hijack poll with hilarious suggestions