This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on December 28, 2001). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
Apparently NASA‘s Deep Space 1 probe has just been officially decommissioned, slightly over two years after its planned End of Mission date. What caught my eye on this was that DS1 was the first experimental spacecraft to test an Ion Engine — a technology developed in the 1960’s, and for many people, first mentioned on TV’s Star Trek. Apparently the little craft did pretty well for itself. About time NASA had a success!