Lockheed Martin technicians and engineers attach the heat shield to the Orion crew module inside the Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper
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Orion Receives Heat Shield For Late 2014 EFT-1 Test Flight

Lockheed Martin technicians and engineers attach the heat shield to the Orion crew module inside the Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper NASA and Lockheed Martin engineers have installed the largest heat shield ever constructed on the crew module of the agency’s Orion spacecraft. […]

The Dragon V2 stands on a stage inside SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif., prior to its unveiling. The spacecraft is designed to carry people into Earth's orbit and was developed in partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program under the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability agreement. SpaceX is one of NASA's commercial partners working to develop a new generation of U.S. spacecraft and rockets capable of transporting humans to and from Earth's orbit from American soil. Ultimately, NASA intends to use such commercial systems to fly U.S. astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
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Photo Feature: Meet The SpaceX Dragon V2 Spacecraft

SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk unveiled the Dragon V2 during a ceremony for the new spacecraft inside SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif. The spacecraft is designed to carry people into Earth’s orbit and was developed in partnership with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program under the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability agreement. SpaceX is one of NASA’s […]

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NASA Readies Futuristic “Flying Saucer” For Flight Over Hawaii

UPDATE: Due to weather conditions, there will be no launch of the LDSD test vehicle June 4 or 5. Other potential launch dates include June 7, 9, 11 and 14. The decision to move forward with another launch attempt of the LDSD test is made the day before each launch opportunity date. NASA’s flying saucer-shaped […]

Dragon V2 is unveiled. Credit: SpaceX.
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SpaceX Unveils Next-Generation Manned Dragon Spacecraft

With just a bit of Hollywood-esque flash, SpaceX unveiled the long-awaited passenger-carrying version of their Dragon spacecraft Thursday during a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. In front of a gathering of media, employees and invited guests, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk lifted the curtain on the upgraded capsule known as Dragon Version 2, […]

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Atlas V Successfully Deploys Classified NROL-33 Satellite

While the battle between SpaceX and United Launch Alliance continues over the future of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, ULA extended its streak ofi successful missions with the launch today of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. Carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the Atlas blasted off from Space Launch Complex-41 […]

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Delta IV Launches Sixth Upgraded GPS Satellite

America’s newest Global Positioning System satellite is now in space following its successful launch Friday evening onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral A.F.S. Following a one-day delay due to storms associated with a passing cold front, blastoff of the 205 foot tall Delta IV Medium+ rocket, featuring twin solid rocket […]

Antares blasts off with Cygnus Orb-1. Photo Credit: Mike Killian / AmericaSpace
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Orbital And ATK Announce Merger Continuing Industry Consolidation

Orbital Sciences Corporation today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Alliant Techsystems Inc., which will combine Orbital and ATK’s Aerospace and Defense (A&D) Groups to create a $4.5 billion (combined calendar year 2013 annual revenue), 13,000-person space, defense and aviation systems developer and manufacturer. The new company, to be called Orbital […]

Space stations need lifeboats. Image Credit: NASA/Matthew Young
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New Spacecraft Will Become First U.S. Space Lifeboat in 40 Years

The next generation of American spacecraft designed to carry people into low-Earth orbit will be required to function as a lifeboat for the International Space Station for up to seven months. This service has not been provided by an American spacecraft since an Apollo command module remained docked to Skylab for about three months from […]

This aerial view shows the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, and other buildings in the Launch Complex 39 area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on May 6, 2013. The Launch Control Center is in front of the VAB. To the right is the mobile launcher that will be used to transport NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion crew capsule to Launch Pad 39B. Upgrades are underway at Pad B and other facilities in the Launch Complex 39 area. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program office at Kennedy is leading the center’s transformation from a historically government-only launch complex to a spaceport that can safely handle a variety of rockets and spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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NASA Partnerships Launch Multi-User Spaceport

Teamed with its industry partners, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is well on its way to establishing a multi-user spaceport to help meet America’s spacefaring needs for the 21st century. Counterparts from companies who are operating several space center facilities recently met with agency officials to discuss ongoing partnerships and plans for the center’s […]