We are sending a 'boat' to Saturn's moon Titan. The Huygens probe was landed on this moon in 2005, the surface consistency of which was described as like 'creme brulee'. On its surface, liquid hydrocarbon rain washes down valleys and into its great lakes. Almost a century ago, the public was about to be treated to the great race to the uncharted south pole, Scott Amundsen and Shackleton still relatively unknown. A 100 years on, they might be proud to note that magnificent human exploration continues.

Even more remarkable that this work continues in an atmosphere of top-three-issues-only-please morality and politics. Why are we going to Titan when global warming hasn't been sorted out, or the bank bonuses, or, err, global warming? I found the 'boat' story on the BBC website; their top story is currently 'X Factor's Lucie gets model deal'. Oh well, the human spirit also remains beautifully apathetic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8409052.stm