Countdown to 1/27/2012…

Let me first introduce new readers to this feature. We try to (but don’t always) give a rundown of the day’s news in astrobiology/planetary/space/Earth sciences. We’ve been a little lax on this lately, mostly because our fearful leader (aka yours truly) has been slow in getting accounts approved for the others to post. But! I’ve finally done it.
Anyways, onto tonight’s countdown.
3… Space policy has appeared in political news the last couple of days, as the Republican primary has moved onto Florida and the space coast. I’m sure you all have heard about New Gingrich’s plan to set up a Moon base by the end of his second term. I’m not going to comment on that plan here, but I will say this highlights something I’m always disappointed by: the continued lack of discussion about NASA’s science goals and accomplishments. Don’t get me wrong – human spaceflight has been one the greatest achievements our species has ever accomplished. However, it’s not the only kind of spaceflight we’ve achieved. We have missions at planets all over the solar system, another mission discovering new planets all the time, and another set of missions that are monitoring the health and condition of ...