Space may be the final frontier, but the frontier will be closed to Americans for a little while, as we prepare for NASA’s final Space Shuttle launch today at 11:26am (EST).

To take us through this momentous occasion I’ve enlisted my old buddy Carrie, who worked the Hill as a Congressional staffer focused on the space program. Get in the mood with some Space Oddity, and then listen to the conversation here.

Learn how we are ceding space to the Russians, whether we can ever go to Mars, and what would happen if we ever came across real life “unobtanium.”   It’s a fascinating world out there.

Carrie is down at the launch now, and she has promised to send us great pictures.

Finally, she has requested that folks answer the following question as an informal snap poll:

“How much do you think the U.S government is currently spending on human space flight?”

She hints that the answer might surprise you (no Googling!).  Give it your best shot in the comment section.