A science blog with Eric Berger  Will NASA’s decision push the
Europeans into Russian or Chinese arms?   As most readers
probably know by now, in the President’s just released-budget
NASA has axed its EXO Mars partnership with the European Space
Agency to pay for the over-budget James Webb Space Telescope. It
was a difficult decision, but in a tight fiscal environment
perhaps it was unavoidable if we were to save the Webb
telescope.  Nevertheless the decision has both scientific and
diplomatic implications.  The key question in my mind is what
this decision will do to NASA’s relationship with ESA, which
long has been a steadfast partner for the U.S. space agency,
most recently with the International Space Station.  Artist's
concept of the ExoMars/Trace Gas Orbiter mission. (NASA/JPL)  My
concern is that ESA will see NASA as an uncertain partner, and
look to foster deeper relationships with Russia and China.
Already ESA has asked Russia to join the EXO Mars exploration
plan, and it has partnered with China on