Orbital Spacecraft
Satellites, shuttles and space stations
Company Expected
Three more people will soon move into the International Space Station—and they’ll be drinking, um….
October 30, 2008 |
By Michael Klesius
India Aims for the Moon
A U.S. scientist reports from the scene of India's first lunar launch.
October 21, 2008 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Mission to Mir
At the start of a new partnership, U.S. and Russian space travelers learn that every long journey begins with a single step.
October 2008 |
By Tom Harpole
End Run
A small band of rogue rocketeers takes on the NASA establishment.
September 29, 2008 |
By Michael Klesius
Cities at Night: An Astronaut’s View
Urban nightscapes are among the most beautiful sights in orbit.
September 16, 2008 |
By Don Pettit
Third Time’s the Charm?
Elon Musk tries again to reach orbit, with hopes for low-cost spaceflight riding on the outcome.
July 17, 2008 |
By Geoffrey Little
Konnichi Wa, Kibo
The International Space Station says hello to its newest addition, made in Japan.
May 2008 |
By Dan Barry
In the Museum: Second, But Still Up
Fifty years after launch, Vanguard 1 remains in orbit.
May 2008 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Rough Ride Home
Three space station astronauts are glad to be back on terra firma after an off-course landing in a Russian Soyuz capsule.
April 2008 |
By Michael Klesius
Satellite Smashers
Space-faring nations: Clean up low Earth orbit or you're grounded.
March 2008 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Satellite Shoot-Down
The Pentagon plans to knock one of our own out of the sky.
February 14, 2008 |
By Paul Hoversten
How Things Work: Chandra X-Ray
The Chandra X-Ray Telescope, explained.
January 2008 |
By Damond Benningfield
Mr. B’s Big Plan
Robert Bigelow has put two mini-space stations in orbit. Now comes the hard part.
January 2008 |
By Geoffrey Little
We Shocked the World
Nikita Khrushchev's son recalls the night Sputnik made history.
August 2007 |
By Sergei Khrushchev (Translated by Lyudmila Khomenko Chillico)
It All Started with Sputnik
An eminent space historian looks back on the first 50 years of space exploration.
July 2007 |
By Roger D. Launius
Your Space Shuttle Ride Awaits
A new ride at the Kennedy Space Center is -- sadly -- the closest most of us will come to experiencing the thrill of a shuttle launch.
July 2007 |
By Irene Klotz
Can We Stop a Nuke?
From the impossible dream of a space-based shield, missile defense has come down to Earth. But will it work?
May 2007 |
By Ben Iannotta
Tools of the (Astronaut) Trade
What you'll need to assemble your own space station.
March 01, 2007 |
By Joe Pappalardo
