On the eve of the end of an incredible era of scientific accomplishment and discovery, The New Yorker published a wonderful tribute to the little satellite that could. The story of what it took to get Galileo out there is amazing. And the reason it has to be obliterated is fascinating. I'm sure sci-fi geeks everywhere are atitter.
It's a long read, but worth it. And when Galileo heads off into the undiscovered country, you can witness it live, courtesy NASA. [via MeFi]