So, the US has decided to back out of the joint missions with ESA to concentrate on Manned flight and space technology:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17020830

So this leave EXOmars very much in the lurch............or does it? Is this an opportunity for ESA to really take the lead in the Martian field leaving NASA to pick up the reins on manned missions to the Moon and asteriods.

This could lead the 2 agencies to pick up on joint missions at a later date with each combining its expertise in their relevant fields to push onto manned missions to Mars (Very much in the future mind you!!!)

Don't know what to make of this decision. Something about the decision seems fishy to me. I can't put my finger on it, but if I ever do I'll let you know what I came up with.

This is a nice follow on article to my original post:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17029019

Are we about to see handbags in the space community 

I think someone might be selling a robot pretty cheap in the near future, I'll bid a dollar 
All jokes aside, I do hope they get the funding needed. it is a shame to wast all that money and time especially when it is for a good cause.

Resurrecting this thread with:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34919025



Exomars is back on track

So Exomars finally into the final straight..........hopefully as it's been a very long drawn out saga so far 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43832868