What a week for space exploration.

We'll live it with us on planetary radio. Third stages go.

Roger.

T-9 is 45 seconds.

Is there anything like the hopeful expectation and excitement of a rocket launch?

For as long as I can remember, certainly since my early childhood, I have been spellbound

by the grand tradition of the countdown.

Last week it was New Horizons providing the thrill as it prepared to depart on the fastest

trip ever to the outer solar system including Jupiter, Pluto, and beyond.

T-minus 18. 15 seconds.

11, 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1. We have admission and lift off of NASA's new horizon spacecraft on a decade

voyage to visit the planet Pluto and then beyond.

2 plus 15 seconds.

Everything continues to look good

as the Atlas 5 vehicle climbs away from Florida's East Coast.

The 5 solid rocket strap on boosters are burning just fine, sending the New Horizons

spacecraft on its way to the very edge of our solar system.

John Spencer was there.

We'll learn from this member of the New Horizon Science team how it felt to watch that launch.

He'll also tell us about the data he hopes the spacecraft will collect as it swings around Jupiter long before it reaches far away Pluto.

And as the new Horizons mission begins, the Stardust probe is beginning to open its secrets

to scientists.

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