After Space Shuttle, Does U.S. Have a Future in Space?

Friday's launch of the space shuttle Atlantis marks the end of the 30-year shuttle program, and NASA is under increasing pressure to unveil the next innovation in U.S. spaceflight.
(National Geographic web-site)

To be honest, I remember when the first space shuttle was launched - I'm honestly sad the program ended (not to mention the estimated 6,000 employees out of work).

I realized TODAY that my neighbor of 15 years conducts research on CO2 levels at NASA (in addition to research on Mars and conditions inside hurricanes). As we stood talking in the rain (because I wouldn't let him leave!), I discovered he knows Dr. David Harwood, Research Director, ANDRILL Geological Drilling in Antarctica AND Dr. Philip R. Christensen, Regents Professor and the Ed and Helen Korrick Professor in the Department of Geological Science at Arizona State University. I was introduced to these amazing scientists through Kids' Tech University (KTU)! I will be forever grateful to Dr. Kristy Collins, Education and Outreach, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Virginia Tech, for allowing me to be directly involved with KTU!

I found the photos of Mars below at the Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) web-site. I wonder if MARS will be the next BIG STEP for mankind......