Canadian schools propose bargain Mars expedition

Several Canadian universities have proposed an extraordinarily affordable Mars trip in 2009.  Northern Light would be led by York University, and would involve researchers from uAlberta, uCalgary, UNB, uSask, uToronto, uWaterloo, uWinnipeg, UWO, McGill and SFU.  By using a commercial launch vehicle built from converted missiles, costs will be around $20 million.  The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription Required)