NASA's Enceladus News (updated)

Keith Cowing at NASA Watch has the running coomentary on the news NASA is slated to announce at 2 Pm EST. But Matt Drudge seems to have scooped everyone!

OK, presume for a second that he has the content of the announcement right. What are the consequences? Here are soem thoughts:

- Astrobilogy funding efforts get an immidiate shot in the arm. If they succeed, where does the money come from?

- Can Cassini help in getting mroe data?

- Can other missions be re-drected to help out in the short term?

- Is there an approach for a "fast response" mission that would be of value?

Inquiring minds want to know :-)

Update @ 1:30pm: Now Space.com has a story with more details.

It also answers the second question above: "... Cassini’s instruments could help pin down Enceladus’ liquid water sources in future passes, researchers added..."

But also "... But the spacecraft, Kargel wrote, will not be able to determine whether subsurface water pockets could offer a habitat suitable for living organisms..."