People Magazine moment:

Kirsten Dunst of Spider-Man fame was at the launch center in Pasadena and is apparently a good friend of Sagan and Druyan daughter Sasha.

Thankfully they won't use a Russian launcher next time. To top it off, the Russians lack of forthcoming about why the Volna failed is not helping matters any. Good article here, without the hype.

The Mystery of Cosmos 1

http://www.space.com/adastra/adastra_cosmos_mystery_050907.html

Hopes had been riding high for Cosmos 1, the Planetary Society's experimental
solar space sail, as the launch date of June 21st drew near. Then something went
wrong and the sense of wonder was replaced by a sense of frustration.