MRO to launch in less than a month!
Potentially a lot of great science will get done with Mars Recon Orbiter. Of course its a full year after launch before aerobraking is complete and science orbit is attained. Still, I have a lot of anticipation for the launch to go well.
I can't help but compare all the science we will get from a craft such as this compared to a more expensive shuttle launch. We could have 2 or 3 deep impact level missions for the cost of one shuttle launch. If I was running the show, I would not be plowing govt resources into a modern day "spruce goose" just to prove we could make it fly.