Thanks to the many involved with the successful Mars mission. Its care and pre-thought to design such advanced electronic capabilities into both Robots that keep going and going. Great camera shots of the red planet as well.
It just seems only a few weeks back we had another first with SpaceShipOne being the first pioneering craft from the private sector to venture into space using Nitroxide and rubber for fuel but what other combinations a wait this new venturing space race as it were. Mono propellants ignition less systems and more.

"Solaris X uses hypergolic propellants that ignite upon contact, eliminating the need for an ignition system. If you eliminate systems on a launch vehicle, it improves safety and improves reliability."

On that note you also reduce some weight from the craft as well.

Should we "Own a planet or space property morally "....?
“Technology has risen to a new level, and we are facing a new issue. This issue is the exploration of space by privately owned companies or individuals, or in short, Capitalism In Space.
The issue today is in mid-legislation from Congress. The House of Representatives has passed a bill, called the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, which allows the private travel of citizens into outer space. Currently it is being argued by the Senate.”
http://www.masslive.com/living/republican/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1089186554310190.xml

On the ISS note:
"Mission: Space, The Node 2 Mockup Project
Tucked away at the Johnson Space Center is a huge machine shop. One of their latest projects is a mockup of one of the modules that's headed to the International Space Station. While these lifesize models are used to train the astronauts, engineers on the ground can use them to debug a problem while the crew is in space."
http://www.news24houston.com/content/headlines/?ArID=32044&SecID=2

We are still go for completing the ISS or at least giving it one more module. No mention of how it will get there if there is no shuttle to deliver it however.