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The "Starship Century" Beckons
Gregory and James Benford return to Planetary Radio

Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/10/01 10:30 CDT

The Benford brothers provide inspiration and hard fact in their excellent new anthology about interstellar travel.

A Big Day for Commercial Spaceflight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/29 11:42 CDT

On Sunday, Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus resupply spacecraft was berthed to the ISS, while SpaceX's upgraded Falcon 9 lifted off from the California coast.

A Russian Guide to Wednesday's Союз Старт (Soyuz Launch)

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/24 11:28 CDT | 6 comments

Follow along with Roscosmos during the launch of Soyuz TMA-10M using this list of common Russian flight terms.

Expedition 36 crew returns to Earth

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/10 11:45 CDT | 3 comments

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin returned to Earth following a five-and-a-half month stay aboard the International Space Station.

Mike Massimino on a spacewalk, May 17, 2009

In his own words: Mike Massimino on how he "nearly broke" Hubble

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/09/05 11:14 CDT

In an enthralling article for Esquire magazine, astronaut Mike Massimino writes about nearly failing to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, and how the people of Earth came to his rescue.

China Goes to the Moon and Beyond?
A Conversation with Space Journalist Leonard David

Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2013/08/27 01:06 CDT

Planetary Radio guest Leonard David has been writing about space exploration for more than five decades. He has collected analysis from around the world about China's big plans for space exploration.

Dream Chaser mini-shuttle prepares for free flight tests

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/15 03:42 CDT | 3 comments

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser spacecraft recently completed a series of range and taxi tow tests, which pave the way for free flights that could begin this fall.

Japan sends fourth cargo craft to International Space Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/05 06:01 CDT

Japan’s HTV-4 resupply vessel is en route to the International Space Station following a Sunday launch from the Tanegashima Space Center.

The International Space Station (May 2010)

Should National Rivalries Still Drive U.S. Space Policy?

Posted by Lori Dajose on 2013/07/25 02:37 CDT | 5 comments

The House recently passed a NASA Authorization Bill that called for "American astronauts launching from American rockets on American soil". If we depend on international collaboration, should these policies still drive NASA policy?

Interpreters: the ties that bind international spaceflight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/24 02:34 CDT | 1 comments

An interview with Elena Kozhukhov, a veteran Russian interpreter who supports the International Space Station.

J-2X: A Distant Dot Lights Up the Night

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/18 09:51 CDT | 3 comments

On Tuesday, NASA released new high-definition video of a June 26 nighttime J-2X engine test at Stennis Space Center in southern Mississippi.

Spacewalk ends early following helmet water leak

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/16 12:09 CDT

A spacewalk outside the International Space Station Tuesday ended early after a water leak inside astronaut Luca Parmitano’s helmet created a potentially dangerous situation.

In-flight entertainment: cameras aboard the Space Launch System

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/09 06:04 CDT | 1 comments

When the Space Launch System lifts off on its inaugural flight in 2017, eight engineering cameras will collect crucial in-flight data while providing breathtaking views for the public.

A patriotic return to space

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/03 07:03 CDT

When Space Shuttle Discovery launched on its 1988 return-to-flight mission, it was a big moment for NASA and America.

Deflecting the flames of a monster rocket

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/01 12:24 CDT | 3 comments

Work continues to prepare Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39B for the Space Launch System, as a flame trench deflector originally built for the Space Shuttle is removed.

Shenzhou 10 and Tiangong 1 transit sequence

Astrophotographer captures 'Heavenly Palace' transiting the Sun

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/06/24 10:56 CDT | 1 comments

Astrophotographer Thierry Legault captured a striking image set of Chinese spacecraft Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 10 transiting the Sun.

If we started today, how long would it take to get to Mars? With this budget, never.
Analysis of the House Science Committee Hearing on the 2013 NASA Authorization Bill

Posted by Casey Dreier on 2013/06/19 04:38 CDT | 6 comments

The House of Representatives held a hearing today to discuss their proposed NASA authorization bill, which would fund Planetary Science, cut Earth Science, forbid asteroid retrieval, and command NASA to pursue a path to Mars via the Moon.

Express Soyuz sends new crew to station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/05/29 08:21 CDT | 1 comments

Fyodor Yurchikhin, Karen Nyberg and Luca Parmitano lifted off in their Soyuz TMA-09M at 4:31 p.m. EDT and arrived at the International Space Station six hours later.

Report from the Starship Century Conference: Tuesday

Posted by Jon Lomberg on 2013/05/22 06:54 CDT | 5 comments

This week Jon Lomberg is attending the Starship Century conference, which brings together scientists, writers, and futurists to imagine the future of interstellar travel. Here he reports on presentations by Freeman Dyson, Peter Schwartz, Robert Zubrin, Geoff Landis, Neal Stephenson, and Patti Grace Smith.