Res Communis post the latest collection of space and aviation law, regulation and policy links: Library: A Round-up of Reading.

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Leonard David reports on a somewhat surprisingly optimistic view by the public of the probability of having people on Mars in 20 years time: Humans on Mars by 2033: New Poll Shows High Confidence – Coalition for Space Exploration.

Update Feb.12.13: Stephen C. Smith questions the methodology and objectivity of the survey and the survey manager responds in the comments at Caveat Emptor – Space KSC.

Here’s another discussion of the poll:  Americans Confident Humans Will Walk on Mars Within Two Decades- ExploreMars – Feb.11.13

Update Feb.14.13: A couple more responses to the survey:

• Poll Challenges Some Assumptions About Human Mars Missions – Aviation Week
• Polls raise new questions about interest in Mars exploration—and the polls themselves – Space Politics

Here are the numbers for NASA and other R&D agencies if the budget sequestration process is implemented:

• NASA to Cut 1.3 Billion Dollars From Budget Due to Sequestration Starting March 1st 2013 – Space Industry News
• Impact of impending US budget cut on science revealed – Nature News Blog