Atlas Shrugged

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration recently launched Atlas V, a very fast spacecraft (how does 36,000 miles an hour sound?) that will travel to the outer rim of the solar system by 2015 to explore Pluto, the last unexplored planet in our aforementioned solar system. Unless, of course, there's a tenth planet waiting to be discovered, and some folks have suggested that Atlas V may find it. Atlas V, which weighs over half a ton, will also explore Pluto's moon Charon. In addition to seven cameras, it's also bringing some of the ashes - yes, you read right - of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930.

The data Atlas V sends back will be. . . well, interesting, I'm sure. But what good will it be for? What purpose will it serve? And if they can make a 36,000-mph rocket ship in this country, why can't they make a 300-mph bullet train?

I'm just glad Atlas V got off the ground without a hitch. After all, it was powered by nuclear fuel. :-O