What in the world
40 years in space
• US President Bush may use next Wednesday's Wright centennial to announce a new space initiative: perhaps a return to the moon or a manned mission to Mars, according to news reports.
• Through 1970, only 26 Russians and Americans had ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere. Since then, such travel has mushroomed: More than 400 people have now ventured into space.
• So far, only 12 people have set foot on the moon.
SOURCE: NASA