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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Why NASA pays SpaceX and Boeing to fly astronauts to the International Space Station
Commercial crew is a partnership between NASA and private industry to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station and create a new market for humans in space.
Atmospheres that intrigue, protect, and obscure
Catch up on the week’s space news and consider planetary atmospheres from a few thought-provoking perspectives.
A dwarf planet, a rogue planet, and a glow-in-the-dark moon
All the wonders that the cosmos offered up this week, plus news about NASA’s leadership and an exciting launch.
Jupiter from near and far, and two humans return to Earth
This week, learn about the conditions of the early solar system and get ready for next week’s meteor shower, plus more.
Weather scrubs a launch, forms Mars dunes, and inspires art
Get ready for the rescheduled Crew Dragon launch and catch up on the highlights of the week in space.
Your Guide to Crew Dragon's First Astronaut Flight
Take a look back at the exciting first crewed flight of NASA's Commercial Crew program.
NASA's Commercial Crew Program is a Fantastic Deal
NASA's commercial crew program stands to be the agency's lowest-cost human spacecraft effort in nearly 60 years.
The Most Important Space Policy Events of the 2010s
The end of the Space Shuttle, the rise of public-private partnerships, and the return to the Moon. As the 2010s come to a close, what were the most impactful events that shaped U.S. space policy?
Orion Completes Critical In-Flight Abort Test
The test showed Orion can blast itself away from the Space Launch System if the big rocket fails while attempting to fly to orbit.
Crew Dragon Test Vehicle Suffers Mishap during Engine Testing
The extent of the accident is unclear, but a plume of orange smoke was visible from miles away.
Crew Dragon Returns to Earth
The spacecraft completed a successful test flight with splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on 8 March 2019 at 08:45 EST (13:45 UTC).
Crew Dragon Successfully Docks to International Space Station
Docking occurred slightly ahead of schedule at 5:51 EST (10:51 UTC).
Crew Dragon Safely on the Way to International Space Station
SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully launched on its maiden voyage! It will dock with the ISS tomorrow.
What to expect when Crew Dragon launches to the International Space Station
SpaceX's Crew Dragon is scheduled to blast off for a 6-day, uncrewed test flight on 2 March at 02:49 EST (07:49 UTC).
NASA's Orion spacecraft makes progress, but are the agency's lunar plans on track?
Orion's service module arrived in Florida, but some space industry experts question whether NASA's human spaceflight plans are realistic.
Orion's third flight will haul two pieces of a space station to lunar orbit
NASA is planning for a 30-day mission to lunar orbit in 2024.
Some snark (and details!) about NASA's proposed lunar space station
So long, Deep Space Gateway. You've been replaced with the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway.
We choose to go to the Moon and do the other things
Vice President Mike Pence kicked off the National Space Council's first meeting today by declaring Americans will return to the Moon. Casey Dreier and Jason Davis analyze this new direction for NASA's human spaceflight program.
The anatomy of a delay: Here's a timeline of twists and turns for NASA's SLS and Orion programs
The Space Launch System and Orion won't fly until 2019, and NASA is sticking with its original plan not to include astronauts for the maiden mission. Here is a timeline of some of the programs' major twists and turns over the years.
NASA unveiled new plans for getting humans to Mars, and hardly anyone noticed
NASA revealed its most concrete plan yet for sending humans back into deep space, centered around a small lunar space station and a reusable transport ship to carry astronauts to Mars and back.