Space news junkies haven't known which way to turn this week

Space news junkies haven't known which way to turn this week, what with news that NASA plans to explore Pluto and beyond, and even the UK is going to be investing seriously in the next European mission to Mars. The current Mars Express has just provided the first concrete evidence of significant amounts of water under the surface of the planet, and would you believe it, those plucky NASA rovers there are still going strong. You want a great piece of engineering? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Spirit" and "Opportunity".

These vehicles were due to operate for six months. Both have now operated through a full Martian year - that's 687 of your puny days, Earthman. Both keep finding new variations of rock in areas they are exploring on opposite sides of Mars. The delighted team behind the mission are even able to undertake what they call some "bonus science" such as watching the a meteor shower as Mars passed through the debris trail left by a passage of Halley's comet.

Sure, they're not racing around like golf buggies - Spirit has managed around three and a half miles in all that time, and Opportunity just over four. Cautious doesn't begin to describe it. But it's worth going back to the wonderful Internet Archive to see what the hopes and dreams of the NASA team were this time two years ago.

And, as ever, up-to-date stuff is at: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/