With NASA about to sunset all Space Shuttle missions, the ‘replacement’ for the Shuttle, the Ares rocket took to the skies yesterday in a planned launch.

While I for one, is not pleased with the replacement of a manned vehicle with a rocket – manned or unmanned, I am pleased that NASA is showing some signs of life.

With rumors that President Obama might scuttle the Ares in favor of YASTS (Yet Another Space Transportation System), this launch is bittersweet.

Whatever the case may be, any decision that both advances, and speeds humankind on the way to a manned Mars-return mission would be wholeheartedly embraced by yours truly.

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