I'll admit the delay of the Mars Science Laboratory to launch in 2011 depressed me. But there are some neat astronomy probes being launched soon. Kepler, Herschel, and WISE are due to launch in 2009. Who doesn't get a thrill with each new extra solar planetary discovery. Kepler will be a giant step in revealing our (earth's) place in the universe as it finds other extra solar "earths."

As far as planetary exploration, 2011 will usher in some incredibly exciting robotic exploration. First MESSENGER will start very serious exploration of Mercury after orbit insertion. The flybys were nice, but settling in to really start to get a handle on Mercury will be really cool. Does anyone have doubts that many new discoveries about the sun and inner planets will come from this exploration.

But I have to admit, I think just about the most exciting mission out there to me is DAWN. The older you get, 2 years seems like less and less time. The DAWN encounter with Vesta planetlet really sparks my imagination. And when done with Vesta on to Ceres! Whole new mini worlds to explore!

And while we are getting used to seeing these new worlds up close, the most advanced lander ever devised by man will launch in 2011 and start Mars exploration in 2012. It will be continuous Christmas for space hobbyists and planetary scientists as these new vistas and worlds are unveiled.

March 18, 2011 MESSENGER: Mercury Orbit Insertion
August, 2011 DAWN: Vesta arrival
Fall, 2012 MSL: Landing