Of all of the sophisticated technology powering the International Space Station, nothing brings the frustration of modern living back home to those of us on Earth more than a report of a broken toilet. Only the astronauts can't make an after-work run to the home repair store; they have to devise creative solutions while they wait for Saturday's launch of the space shuttle Discovery to bring them repair parts.

If you think $1,300 is a lot to pay for Kohlers new C3-200 toilet seat, how about $19 million for a toilet that doesnt even have a heated seat or remote control? Thats what NASA has agreed to shell out for a space potty on the International Space Station.

The world's first female space tourist returned today from her eight-day stint aboard the International Space Station, with her Soyuz capsule touching down safely on the Kazakh steppe. Adding to her list of firsts, Anousheh Ansari has to have been the world's first space blogger—Earthlings were treated not only to fascinating, regular blog posts but Flickr photos and YouTube videos as well, all updated live throughout the mission. Very cool stuff.

Now, if only we could have read Lance Bass's blog from space. Sigh. —John Mahoney

With NASA's beleaguered shuttle still grounded over safety concernsand given the unanswered questions about its replacement, the Crew Exploration Vehicle, which won't be ready to fly until 2012the European Space Agency is mulling an option to buy its own ride to space. This month ESA plans to request $60 million from its member states to help Russia prepare its new, reusable spaceship, the Clipper, for a crewless test flight by 2011 and a manned flight by 2012.