The Obama administrations 2011 federal budget has scrapped visits to the moon. Many people see manned space exploration as the jewel and crown of the United States, however expensive and risky it might be. Now private companies are teaming with NASA to make in-roads in manned space exploration. Driven by the market rather than constituents, companies have more freedom to continue developing this technology. The internationally supported Casini space mission, which has been operational since 2005 and has made 125 orbits around Saturn, has been extended till 2017. Also what to look for in the night sky this week.

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