Technology missions for Aurora, the European Space Agency's exploration plan, are being axed to make the programme more affordable. Earth re-entry vehicle and Mars aerocapture demonstrators may be folded into other research efforts. The plan to go before ESA's council of ministers in December will consist of two instead of four missions: a Mars rover for launch in 2011 and a Mars sample return mission (right) set for 2016.
ROB COPPINGER/LONDON