[#] When in doubt, check Uranus

Well, whether you think that NASA is worth every nickel or that the US should be pouring those dollars into the African aggregate economy because Bob Geldof says so, one of the most amazing scientific achievements of stellar exploration happened over the weekend.

Back in January, a Delta 2 Rocket launched a probe called "Deep Impact" into space with the intention of essentially crashing into a comet by the name of "Tempel 1" for the purpose of, well, finding out what's out there and what's in there. Astrochemist Stefanie Milam is hoping to find "the building blocks of life". Some are just comparing it to other comets. (great pictures of the impact, btw) NASA's JPL is just proud to have made the first interplanetary flash picture.

However, the most important development from Deep Impact is ... a lawsuit. Can you believe it? $300 million spent to sent something the size of a VW Bug to crash into something the size of Elizabeth Township near Pittsbugh, PA, and it seems that something unforeseen and tragic has occured.

Marina Bai has sued the U.S. space agency, claiming the Deep Impact probe that punched a crater into the comet Tempel 1 late Sunday "ruins the natural balance of forces in the universe," the newspaper Izvestia reported Tuesday. A Moscow court has postponed hearings on the case until late July, the paper said.

The amazing thing is not that this person has brought suit: the amazing thing is that she is going to get a hearing. What's the legal basis for bringing a $300 million lawsuit for exploring space?

Me personally: I'm watching this case. You should, too.