Carl Sagan Center of Astrobiology

For those of us hoping that there will be a spot for a biologist on a future Mars mission, rejoice. While NASA is cutting funds in astrobiology, SETI picking up the slack: " [today] a distinguished panel of institute trustees and staff will announce the formation of the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe. The center's activities will focus on astrobiology and be dedicated to the memory of planetary scientist and astronomer Carl Sagan." Hopefully this will help restore some credibility to the whole enterprize, that some people dismiss as more faith than science.