Topic: Launch Vehicles

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Beyond SpaceX: Five companies seeking to change space travel

During the past 10 years, Presidents George W. Bush and Obama have directed NASA to turn the job of transporting cargo and crew to the space station over to the private sector. As that process gathers pace, here is a list of the key players.
Tim Thomas: Six other athletes who snubbed the White House

Not that many Americans have the opportunity to be on the White House guest list. Here's a list of athletes who have snubbed US presidents.
In Pictures: China's space program
Falling satellite: 10 times space junk has crashed into Earth
In Pictures: Timeline of American rockets

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NASA's other rocket for hire, Antares, is poised for test launch

The Antares rocket, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., is set for a first test launch Wednesday evening, weather permitting. Its maker is, like SpaceX, under contract with NASA to ferry cargo to the International Space Station.
NASA's big decision: Build a moon base or lasso an asteroid?

NASA and lawmakers disagree over the future of human spaceflight. NASA has its sights set on an asteroid landing, while legislators want a permanent moon base.
NASA to restore Apollo engines found on ocean floor

The recovery of the Apollo 11 rocket engines by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is a historic find, say NASA officials, who say the agency plans to restore the engines.
Millionaire plans to send couple to Mars in 2018. Is that realistic? (+video)

The Inspiration Mars Foundation, led by space tourist and multimillionaire Dennis Tito, announces its plan to send a married couple on a flyby mission to the Red Planet beginning in 2018.
Small Canadian satellite to hunt big space rocks

A suitcase-sized Canadian spacecraft launched Monday aboard an Indian rocket is designed to spot large asteroids that cross paths with our planet.
India launches asteroid-hunting spacecraft, tiny telescopes

India launched seven satellites on Monday, including the first spacecraft designed to hunt large space rocks.
Giant leap in race to replace space shuttle? Dream Chaser gets big boost.

Sierra Nevada Corp., which is designing a mini space shuttle called the Dream Chaser, announced that it's joining forces with Lockheed Martin – heavy-hitter in aerospace.
South Korea charges North building missile that could reach US

South Korean officials say they have evidence that North Korea is working on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach as far as the United States.
Private company to offer rides to moon by 2020

Golden Spike says it hopes to sell missions to the moon for over $1 billion.
Change Agent Ex-NASA engineer designs an app to chart water quality

John Feighery created mWater – a cell phone app that instantly records and maps the results of water-quality tests, making monitoring of water quality in developing countries quicker and easier.
International space station veers to avoid space junk

The ISS will move to a new orbit Thursday to avoid a possible collision with a fragment of debris. Over 21,000 pieces of space junk larger than a softball are estimated to be circling the planet.
India launches 101st space mission, and looks to Mars

The mission will be carried out without international help, highlighting the growth and ambition of India's home-grown space program, which plans to launch a mission to Mars.
British astronomer Bernard Lovell left 'immense' legacy (+video)

The pioneering British astronomer and physicists Bernard Lovell, who died Monday, created the only telescope in the West that could track Sputnik.
Google creates virtual tour of Kennedy Space Center (+video)

To celebrate NASA’s Kennedy Space Center's 50th birthday, Google Street View invites users to discover the landmark site like never before.
NASA tests inflatable heat shield (+video)

NASA's inflatable heat shield, which could someday be used to protect a large payload as it enters the atmosphere of Mars, performed as expected during a test Monday.
Orion space capsule: NASA gets ready for 2014 test launch

NASA has unveied the brand new Orion space capsule, which is expected to have its first test launch in spring 2014.
Trio of astronauts help restore faith in Russian space program (+video)

The safe arrival Tuesday of an American, Japanese, and Russian astronauts at the International Space Station helps improve confidence in the Russian space program. The Russian effort has been beset by problems lately.
Huge US satellite launches aboard European rocket

A European Ariane 5 rocket blasted off from French Guiana with both one of the largest American communication satellites ever built. The rocket is also carrying a European weather-tracking satellite.
Toting a fake Space Shuttle nose, NASA's 'Super Guppy' touches down in Seattle

A reporter shares his first-hand flight experience aboard NASA's Super Guppy, designed for carrying massive payloads.
US spy agency undertakes 'critical national security launch'

An Atlas 5 rocket successfully launched a National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite on Monday, just days after the Air Force's secret X-37B space plane returned from its secret 15-month mission in orbit.
Mysterious Air Force space plane lands after 15 months in orbit

An unmanned space plane built by Boeing, the second of its kind, returns to Earth after 463 days in orbit for a clandestine mission.
Space shuttle Enterprise arrives at New York's Intrepid museum (+video)

NASA awarded Enterprise to the Intrepid in April 2011. At the same time, the space agency assigned the museum homes for its space-flown orbiters.
NASA space shuttle embarks on voyage to New Jersey

The space agency's original prototype orbiter, Enterprise is scheduled to arrive at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on the west side of Manhattan on Tuesday.
Virgin Galactic spaceship cleared for test flights

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, a commercial six-passenger spacecraft, to begin rocket-powered suborbital test flights, the company said on Wednesday. Virgin Galactic is owned by billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
SpaceX flyby of space station an historic first

The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully made its first burn to approach the space station at 3:58 a.m Thursday. It was the final test before the SpaceX capsule docks at the ISS.