France and USA to collaborate on mission 'Mars sample return'
France and the United States have confirmed their intention to co-operate in the exploration of Mars. A declaration of intent was signed in Washington on 24 October, and will be followed by a memorandum of understanding before the end of 2001. The declaration concerns the 'Mars sample return' mission, which will be launched following the results of a first mission, to take place in 2007. This will aim to establish the possibility of bringing together the capsule containing samples from Mars, which will be provided by NASA and the orbitor, developed by CNES (centre national d'etudes spatiales). The results of the initial mission, as well as details of finances available for 'Mars sample return' will be announced in the autumn of 2009 or 2011, or at the beginning of 2014.