Europe warming up to Mars exploration

The European Space Agency is getting more interested in exploring Mars, as the success of its Mars Express spacecraft continues paying dividends.

A report from Reuters discusses Europe's growing interest in the red planet. The article hints that the ESA may be interested in sending a sample return mission to Mars as a next possible project.

Mars Express has gathered a wealth of data suggesting the presence of martian life. On Tuesday, data from Mars Express suggested that ice may exist in large quantities under the martian regolith. Those successes have increased the desire among scientists to continue looking for water and life on the red planet.