flanerie.org

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4261522.stm

Nasa administrator Dr Michael Griffin said four astronauts would be sent in a new space vehicle, in a project that would cost $104bn (£58bn). "

And about time too. We need to get out into the solar system and eventually beyond - and a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, so hie me to the moon immediately!

The cost is fairly modest. The $100bn will probably be spent over several years, but concentrated in maybe four years or so. That is $25bn a year for a country that will spend nearly $500bn on its military in 2006.

The important thing is that it is an international effort. I think it is vital that China is on board, and preferably Japan and the EU too. Working together to a single purpose does strange things to people - it helps them to see each other as partners instead of competitors.

Space exploration has something for everyone. Natural resources in the asteroid belt for the capitalists, little green men for the trekkies, a united earth for the romantics, a big chap with a beard for the religious and Uranus for the perverts.

So let's get moving. I want to be ablewatch someone walk on Mars before my eyesight goes!