I really appreciate people recognizing the space program for what has evolved from it and not simply for its accomplishment of immediate goals. We all benefit from it - and it's not just Tang and Velcro... Think MRI's, CTscans, cardiosascular surgery techniques (ok, I'll get off this direction now), tennis rackets, domed stadiums, cordless vacuum cleaners...... A bunch of stuff. The list is pretty extensive.

The sighting website is kinda neat. If ya get an opportunity to see the station passing overhead when the shuttle's docked it's really bright/big. We're also tracking the ATV sightings now too (ATV - Automated Transfer Vehicle, Europe's unmanned re-stocking supply vehicle for the Station).

Tom