Hi, Raoul.
I suppose you found Frank De Winne's
spaceflight a high-light for the year.
Good for you.

BUT!...From my perspective, I've found
pitifully little in outstanding space achievements emerging from the 2002.

The CONTOUR comet-flyby spacecraft
blew up.

The Pluto flyby project maybe cancelled.

The X-38 space 'lifeboat' cancelled or delayed.

The Japanese MUSES-C asteroid lander delayed [to at least] May/2003; the American asteroid minirover
'contribution' to MUSES-C cancelled.

The Europa-orbiter project cancelled.

An ARIANE-5 blew up.

Amateur rocketeers AGAIN fail to launch
a rocket into space [100 km up].

The X-PRIZE?...Some progress this year,
but more delays.

Space Tourism?...Yes, Mr. Shuttleworth
went up, seems nobody followed in his footsteps in 2002. Doesn't look good for 2003.

The ISS?...A few girders added, a little science...nothing special.

The Planetary Society failed to launch the first solar-sail in 2002. 2003?...
Maybe, then maybe 2004, 2005, etc...

NASA's budget? Need I say more?

Hopefully 2003-2004 will be "banner years" for space exploration, exploitation and travel IF...everything
goes well.

Jacob