It wasn't long ago that commercial space exploration was considered out of reach, but now companies like Google are upping the ante. Google is offering a $30 million dollar prize for the first company to come up with a launch vehicle that can go to the moon, traverse the surface, and send back pictures of the experience. There is even a space hotel scheduled to open in 2012, but it will cost a lot more than your average getaway. Also, the Messenger mission gleans new information from Mercury.

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.