Below is a link to a Space.com article on ESA's Aurora program. It's a new initiative looking into long term space planning by Europe.

http://www.space.com/news/esa_plans_020116.html

Here is one passage that really caught my attention:

"Controlled nuclear fusion rockets are hundreds of times more efficient than anything used today. Fusion rockets would transform space travel within the solar system. For example, an expeditionary sojourn to Mars could take as little as a day or two."

Now that's the kind of talk that give me a......well nevermind that.

I know it's just talk, but with new talk of a Japanese shuttle and now this from Europe, maybe China's push for space has ruffled a few first world feathers. Lets hope it's the case!

Lee, (THANK YOU CHINA!)