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Neighbourhood Watch: Solar System Exploration during 2009 (pages 05-08)
Emily Lakdawalla

Summary
As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 opens, there are nearly 20 spacecraft exploring our astronomical backyard, and five more are planned for launch in the coming year. Once the province of a few superpowers, Solar System exploration is now being conducted by countries across the world. The Planetary Society1 strongly believes that the world’s public should not only be told about the lessons learned from these missions, but also be invited to ride along for the adventure.