NASA Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Launch (pics)

In Cape Canaveral Florida, Discovery made it's ascent for the last time today. Headed for the International Space Station, the space shuttle had six astronauts aboard, all anxious to be on their way after more than three months of fuel tank repair delays.

NASA Considering Partly Privatizing Manned MIssion to Mars

Science daily:

NASA recently proposed fundraising of $160 billion from corporations in order to send astronauts to Mars. Licensing broadcast rights, making toys, movies, games, clothes etc. They even have considered selling Mars minerals.

Timothy Nelson, space law specialist from Space.com had this to say: ”I think it likely most people would find it difficult to conceive there wouldn’t be any government involvement in such a mission … The possession of a rocket alone would probably trip you up on the military regulations that govern the ownership of missile technology in the United States."

This probably sounds distasteful and vulgar to some. But when you consider the sad science and NASA related cutbacks from government, how else will a mission to Mars actually occur?

(via Utopianist)