Space Programs
NASA, Soviet and Russian space programs and the International Space Station
Space 2012: What’s Ahead
Twelve things to watch for in space next year—if the world doesn’t end.
December 29, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Annus Horribilis: Space in 2011
A review of the year in space. It's not pretty.
December 27, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
The Path of Exploration
The meaning of the word "exploration" changed about a hundred years ago. We should recover its full, original meaning, which included not only discovery but exploitation and wealth creation.
December 14, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
The Latest Destination for Human Spaceflight
Humans to Venus? The latest proposed destination for human space missions illustrates the essential hollowness of the current direction of our civil space program.
December 01, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Is This the First In-Space Portrait?
A photo of astronaut Ed White, taken aboard Gemini IV, may be the first photo of an astronaut taken by another inside a spacecraft.
November 30, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
Where Were You?
In this 50th anniversary year of human spaceflight, we ask you to remember your own space milestones, and record where you were, and how you felt.
November 22, 2011 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Earth Views, The Remix
Because we can't get enough of this stuff.
November 15, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Shenzhou 8 Docks In Orbit
China succeeds on its first space rendezvous and docking mission.
November 01, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
D’oh! Ten Goofs in Space
There are some situations even astronauts can't train for.
November 2011 |
By Paul Hoversten
A & S Interview: Bobby Braun
NASA's outgoing technology guru talks about what's in the agency's R&D pipeline.
November 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Scratch One Spysat
An eyewitness recalls one of history's great rocket explosions.
October 26, 2011 |
By Pat Trenner
Following the Race to the Moon
In their efforts to "ignite a new era of lunar exploration," the Google Lunar X Prize wants competitors to reach out through social media so the rest of us can follow along.
October 25, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
Replicators Have Arrived
Three-dimensional printing technology can be used in conjunction with the material and energy resources of the Moon to build new space faring capabilities.
October 24, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
X-37 Still Aloft, May Look to Carry Astronauts
While the "secret-ish" X-37 space plane continues to perform well at over 200 days in orbit, Boeing finally talks details, including a possible human-rated version.
October 14, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
China’s Next Step: A “Heavenly Palace”
With China building its own space station, a veteran U.S. astronaut says it’s time for NASA and its partners to extend an invitation.
October 05, 2011 |
By Leroy Chiao
The Taikonauts’ Sons
Pretty much all of the Chinese high school students who attended Space Camp last month were exceptional, but two of the 16-year-olds stood out even in select company.
September 26, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Brave Archivist Rifles Through Clinton’s Stuff, Rewarded
Among the list of things one expects to find while sifting through former President Bill Clinton's stuff, a lost moon rock might be low on the list.
September 23, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
Let’s Argue About The Right Things
We seem to be in one of those periods in which basic reasons for doing what we do as a nation are called into question.
September 17, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
A New Angle on a Space Shuttle Launch
What's a better way to get a new view of a space shuttle launch than using a "whole-sky lens"?
September 13, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
The Astronauts’ Ride
Strange days for NASA's astronauts. Their numbers are down—from a peak of 150 in 2000 to just over 60 today. And they just lost their main vehicle, the space shuttle. [...]
September 09, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
