So, it’s been a big week in space exploration. First, the Brazilians had a mishap when a rocket exploded on the launch pad during pre-flight tests, killing more than a dozen people, destroying the booster and ending the nation’s third attempt to put a satellite in orbit over the past few years.

Then, the Columbia Accident Invetsigation Board handed down their final report, a damning report on the “culture” at NASA which puts safety behind schedules and budgets, thereby endangering staff.

But, this week we also have a frenzy over Mars’ approach, apparently the closest in 50 thousand years. If I had a telescope, then I’d be out there looking at it like the rest of them, but I might wait until 2 years from now when it will be reasonably close again.