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Lockhed Martin and Bigelow Aerospace have entered into a deal to investigate using the Atlas V for space tourism. For those like myself who would like to one day have access to space, this is very good news. Why you ask? Because it increases flight rates. They're planning on flying 16 flights per year between crew/passengers and cargo. That could mean as many as 60-120 people flying to orbit *per year*. Increased flight rates also mean lower prices (for those who dont know why this connection exists, just ask me, I dont feel like explaining it here). This could also be exactly the motivation needed to really devlop some orbital infrastructure.
So, if you have aspirations like mine, this is an occasion to celebrate. biggrin

UPDATE: They have just stated that they intend to launch the first manned station based on Bigelow's Inflatable hab technolgy late 2009/early 2010. While it wont be manned right from the get go, they plan on adding modules to it until its total volume is around 500 cubic meters, plenty of room for a crew of 9. This news keeps getting better and better ^_^.

not really all that risky, depends on your vehicle of choice 3nodding the only reason the shuttle is so risky is becuase its a flying compromise. Riding on a Atlas V wont be nearly so bad since it has a nearly 99% succesful flight rate, with over 100 succesful launches in a row under its belt. Though, it is expendable, and I do hate that word stare But thats why Im glad that SpaceX and Kistler/Rocketplane are getting off the ground. Kistler's K-1 will be our first truly re-usable launcher, and SpaceX's Falcon line will be largely re-usable (maybe fully re-usable in time)
As for reliability, they still have to prove themsleves on that front 3nodding

cost however, is another issue entirely 3nodding but, hey, maybe by 2010-2012, it could be as cheap as 1-5 million a ride blaugh
though, seriousley, maybe by 2020 or so, then it will be affordable to common shmoe's like ourselves blaugh