The Phoenix probe has been delivered to NASA by Lockheed Martin. The Phoenix probe is the next generation of scientific probe scheduled to study Mars. This particular Martian mission is dedicated to looking for, and possibly testing, water under the surface of the planet. The probe is set for launch in August.

Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems are competing for a $900 million contract to build the upper stage rockets for the Ares 1 crew launch vehicle, which will be the expendable rocket system for the Orion vehicle. Alliant already has the contract to build the main stage rocket for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle project. The Ares 1 is expected to have a test launch in 2009.

NASA is testing landing capsule cushions for the Orion crew vehicle. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the Orion crew vehicle. The Orion craft will take over the role of the current shuttle fleet. It is currently estimated that the Orion will begin missions in 2015, leaving a 5 year gap when there will be no US manned flights into orbit. Budget problems are to blame for the delay (although a small gap was originally planned). The current shuttles will be retired in 2010.

It was a good year for the Earth's space programs. So good, that I jumped on the bandwagon. This article contains a lot of great information about the highlights of space exploration in 2006.

Here are a few of the big ones.
• Aceize is founded, 150 year business plan set in motion.
• Bigelow Aerospace launches their first inflatable module onboard a Russian SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missle
• Anousheh Ansari travels to space. The deal was brokers by Virginia Based 'Space Adventures'
• Several launch services promote international cooperation including; International Launch Services (a U.S.-Russian venture), and Europe’s Arianespace and United Launch Alliance.