A few bold predictions, maybe some safe ones can be made, if safe predictions can be made about space travel.

OK! What will 2006 bring?

(1) I expect the number of exoplanets discovered to top 300 by next Dec/31st.

(2) One of the exoplanets discovered will be only 4-6 earth-masses [I'm stretching here]

(3) The MER rover, Opportunity, will finally image an dust devil; and the rover will make it to Victoria Crater.

(4) The prototype for the Virgin Galactic spacecraft will roll out of its construction building,
and later undergo some unpowered "drop tests"....MAYBE.

(5) Another tourist will go up into orbit onboard a Soyuz.

(6) The shuttles will finally manage to return to space, and even add some solar-panels to the ISS.... Ho hum.

(7) A couple of Falcon 1 launches will finally take place, and James Doohan's [Scotty] remains will go into orbit.

(8) Forget any former X-prize contestants achieving any space launches next year; especially that rash fellow, Brian Feeney.

(9) Forget the idea of the Japanese launching their long....long......long..... delayed "lunar penatrator probe" mission next year.
It's going to be quietly shelved indefinitely...It'll become a dead project. How long has it been? 10 years since the project
was expected to go?

(10) Yes!...Expect new surprises from the Cassini mission.

And....HAPPY NEW YEAR!