Imagine the vehicle editor of Spore interbred with Orbiter 2010 and you might get something a bit like Kerbal Space Program, a new hybrid space simulation/exploration/strategy/management/sandbox game now in heavy development. The developers use the Minecraft publishing model; the first versions are free, later versions will cost you some. It looks like it could be the next big thing for us space geeks. You will probably want to have a look.

Here's wot the site says:
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Kerbal Space Program is a multi-genre game where the player can create his own space program.

In KSP, you must build a space-worthy craft, capable of flying it's crew out into space, without killing them.At your disposal is a collection of parts, which must be assembled to create a functional ship. Each part has it's own function and will affect the way a ship flies (or doesn't).So strap yourself in, and get ready to try some Rocket Science!

Main Features:
- The Vehicle Assembly Building. allows players to build spacecraft out of any imaginable combination of parts.
- Fully-fledged, Physics-based Flight Simulation ensures everything will fly (and crash) as it should.
- Procedural Terrain delivers detailed terrain at a vast scale. The Kerbal Planet is 600km in radius!
- Mod-enabled, allows players to create new content and modify the game.
- Ship systems. Keep an eye out for engine temperatures and fuel levels, and try not to explode.
- Build ships with multiple stages, and jettison parts away as they burn out.
- Full control over the staging sequence allows for complex ships and advanced functionality.

Planned Features:
- Take on Missions to attract interest in your Space Program. Or use the Mission Planner to create your own missions.
- Manage your Space Program. Hire astronauts, train them, research and improve parts.
- Fly out to Moons and other Planets
- Build Space Stations, and surface bases on other worlds.
- And a whole lot more!
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I think this could be huge. I definitely think so. I love it already. Go look!

As an astrophysicist I say: Yay!

Looks fun ;)

Downloaded. This I gotta try :-)

Edit: Well, it's certainly a great foundation for building on. It's cool what they've done so far, but there's a long way yet before it can be called an actual game.

This definitely looks like the early stages (pun intended) of something that's going to be brilliant. I'll be watching this with interest. And it's cool to see someone else going for the Minecraft model of financing the game. If that becomes common, it'll open the door for a lot of amateur wannabe game developers.