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{{B}}Text{{/B}} {{U}} (26) {{/U}}Space Agency is planning to{{U}} (27) {{/U}}a spacecraft to the planet Mars. The spacecraft will be called Mars Observer. The project was to have{{U}} (28) {{/U}}place in 1990. But it has been postponed. The Space Agency now{{U}} (29) {{/U}}to send the spacecraft to Mars in 1992. The Mars Observer is to{{U}} (30) {{/U}}from an America's space shuttle. It will then{{U}} (31) {{/U}}around tile North and South Poles of Mars. The spacecraft will have cameras to{{U}} (32) {{/U}}pictures of the atmosphere and surface of Mars. Its major task is to look{{U}} (33) {{/U}}signs of life. The last voyage{{U}} (34) {{/U}}Mars was in 1976. That was{{U}} (35) {{/U}}the two American Viking spacecrafts land- ed on the planet. The next voyage was planned{{U}} (36) {{/U}}1988 by the Soviet Union. America's Mars Observer Project will{{U}} (37) {{/U}}about $ 25.000.000. The high cost is one reason the Space Agency postponed the project. A{{U}} (38) {{/U}}of scientists have criticized that decision. Carl Sagan of Cornell university{{U}} (39) {{/U}}it "a great mistake". And the head of the Planetary Society said the project should not be postponed now{{U}} (40) {{/U}}it appears to{{U}} (41) {{/U}}support in Congress. Congress must{{U}} (42) {{/U}}money for it. Some scientists have proposed a solution that would save{{U}} (43) {{/U}}time and money. They say the Mars Ob- server be launched in 1990{{U}} (44) {{/U}}planned, but on a traditional rocket{{U}} (45) {{/U}}of the space shuttle. |