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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Dragon Reaches Orbit, but Falcon Stage Crashes on Recovery Ship
SpaceX’s ambitious attempt to land the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on an autonomous ocean platform was
NASA Completes First Test Firing of SLS Core Stage Engine (Updated)
NASA completed a 500-second test firing of the RS-25 engine, which will power the core stage of the Space Launch System.
SpaceX Set to Retry Cargo Run, Rocket Stage Landing (Updated)
SpaceX will attempt to launch a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station and land a used Falcon 9 rocket stage on an uncrewed spaceport in the Atlantic Ocean.
Get an Up-Close Look at the Lunar Surface with These 3D Apollo Images
3D images generated by the Apollo Lunar Surface Closeup Camera give you an idea of how it would look to crouch on the lunar surface with your spacesuit faceplate to the soil.
Video: Ride along with Orion as It Plummets Back to Earth
A new NASA video provides an astronaut's-eye video of the final ten minutes of Orion's test flight.
SpaceX to Attempt First-Ever Ocean Barge Rocket Landing
Early next year, SpaceX will attempt what no agency or company has done before: land a used rocket stage on a floating ocean platform.
NASA Delays Asteroid Redirect Mission Concept Selection until 2015
NASA's efforts to capture a near-Earth asteroid and tow it back to lunar orbit will have to wait a little bit longer for a final mission concept.
LightSail Completes Testing, Announcement Expected in January
The Planetary Society's LightSail spacecraft successfully completed testing to prepare it for a possible 2015 test flight.
First Look Photographs of Orion's Return to Dry Land
NASA's Orion spacecraft is back on dry land following its offloading from the USS Anchorage late Monday night. Here are some selected photographs by Kevin Baird.
Orion Returns to Earth after Successful Test Flight
NASA’s Orion spacecraft returned safely to Earth this morning after what looked like a flawless four hour, 24-minute test flight.
In Pictures: Orion's Scrub, from the Vehicle Assembly Building
Here are some scenes from launch day, shot from the unique perspective of the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Orion Scrub Report: Sticky Hydrogen Valves
Windy weather and stuck liquid hydrogen valves forced a one-day delay of the maiden voyage of NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Orion L-1 Report: Go for Launch
The stage is set for NASA’s Orion spacecraft to launch on a two-orbit, four-hour shakedown cruise tomorrow morning. Patrick Air Force Base’s 45th Weather Squadron changed their forecast of an on-time launch to 70 percent—up from the 40 percent chances that marked the start of the week.
Orion L-2 Report: The Old Gives Way to the New
With less than two days before Orion's maiden voyage, NASA and United Launch Alliance are cautiously optimistic the flight will launch Thursday as scheduled.
Your Timeline of Events for Orion's Maiden Voyage
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is ready to embark on its maiden voyage this Thursday. Here is a timeline of events.
United Launch Alliance Answers Burning Questions about Orion's Rocket
When Orion launches next week, you may notice something alarming: The spacecraft's rocket sort of catches itself on fire. But not to worry, says United Launch Alliance.
In Pictures: Expedition 42 Crew Launches to Station
Three more humans are in space today following the launch of Soyuz TMA-15M from the chilly steppes of Kazakhstan.
How NASA Plans to Land Humans on Mars
On the surface, NASA's humans to Mars plans seem vague and disjointed. But that's because the agency is playing the long game. Right now, it may be the only game they can play.
With New Horizons Ready to Wake Up, Scientists Prepare for Pluto Encounter
When New Horizons wakes up for the final time on Dec. 6, scientists will spend six weeks preparing for the start of the spacecraft's Pluto encounter.
LightSail Gets Burn Wire Redesign for Round 2 of Vibration Tests
The Planetary Society's LightSail-A spacecraft is less than three weeks away from an expected go/no-go decision on whether the CubeSat will be launched into space for a shakedown cruise next year.