Top Stories

Watch Today's 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse Here: Webcast Info

2012-05-20 02:19:09
See a list of many webcasts for today's solar eclipse from around the world.

SpaceX Engineers Race to Repair Engines for May 22 Launch

2012-05-20 00:46:14
Today?s (May 19 historic launch of the first ever privately developed rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS) was very surprisingly aborted at the last second when an engine glitch forced a dramatic shutdown of the Falcon 9 rockets 1st stage firing already in progress as the NASA launch commentator was in the middle ...

On The Hunt For High-Altitude Microorganisms

2012-05-19 20:42:37
The United States Rocket Academy has announced an open call for entries in its High Altitude Astrobiology Challenge, a citizen science project that will attempt to collect samples of microbes that may be lurking in Earth’s atmosphere at the edge of space. (...)Read the rest of On The Hunt For High-Altitude Microorganisms (274 words) © ...

Meteor Shower Timelapse Seen from the Space Station

2012-05-19 11:56:56
Just as the Lyrid Meteor Shower was peaking on April 21, 2012, astronaut Don Pettit captured this incredible timelapse sequence from the International Space Station. Of course you can see the familiar view of cities sweeping beneath the station as it orbits the Earth, but if you watch carefully, you can see the bright flashes ...

How to Safely Observe Sunday's Solar Eclipse

2012-05-19 10:15:00
SPACE.com offers tips to observe Sunday's solar eclipse safely using the right gear.

Why Sunday's Solar Eclipse 'Ring of Fire' Will Be Rare Sight

2012-05-19 09:19:15
Find out what makes Sunday's "ring of fire" a rare celestial sight in this skywatching guide.

Possible Rocket Engine Problem Triggered SpaceX Launch Abort

2012-05-19 07:55:43
SpaceX's launch abort Saturday (May 19) may have been caused by a rocket engine issue

SpaceX No Stranger to Launch Day Rocket Glitches

2012-05-19 07:45:51
The last-second launch abort of a private Falcon 9 rocket may be a familiar sight to SpaceX

T-0 Launch Abort for Dragon

2012-05-19 05:34:03
SpaceX’s attempt to launch their Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft was aborted by the computer at T-0 due to a high pressure reading on engine 5 of the first stage. The rocket’s nine main engines were ignited, but were automaticalaly shut down before liftoff. The vehicle was safed with no apparent other issues. ...

SpaceX Dragon Launch Aborted At Last Second | Video

2012-05-19 05:26:48
Computers aboard the Falcon 9 rocket cut off the engines after seeing a high pressure warning on May 19th, 2012. Next launch attempt could occur on Tuesday May 22nd after the problem is investigated.

SpaceX Aborts Launch of Private Space Capsule to Space Station

2012-05-19 05:07:23
An unexpected engine sensor reading forced the Falcon 9 rocket and capsule to abort launch.

SpaceX Fuels Rocket for Historic Test Flight to Space Station

2012-05-19 01:46:50
The Falcon 9 rocket is due to loft SpaceX's Dragon capsule to orbit at 4:55 a.m. ET.

Not-So-Secret Souvenirs Riding Historic SpaceX Capsule Flight to Space Station

2012-05-19 00:53:40
Some special mementos are hitchhiking on SpaceX's first-ever launch to the International Space Station.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Poised at Pad to Open New Space Era

2012-05-18 22:35:02
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is now poised at the launch pad and set to open a completely new era in spaceflight. Hopes are sky high that Saturday mornings Falcon 9 launch represents the dawn of the commercial era in spaceflight akin to the startup of the commercial airline industry early in the 20th Century ...

NASA to Watch Solar Eclipse from Grand Canyon Sunday

2012-05-18 18:28:53
An impressive annular solar eclipse will occur on Sunday (May 20).

Eclipse Glasses Sold Out in Advance of Sunday?s Solar Eclipse

2012-05-18 17:27:32
With Sunday?s solar eclipse capturing the nation?s collective attention, eclipse glasses have been selling like crazy.

Doomed Mercury-Sized Exoplanet May Be Turning to Dust

2012-05-18 17:00:25
The old saying of the universe being stranger than we can imagine definitely applies to a newfound exoplanet orbiting a star about 1,500 light years from Earth. Researchers using the Kepler space observatory have detected what appears to be a planet about the size of Mercury literally turning to dust. A long tail of debris ...

Distant Star Smokes Nearby Planet | Video

2012-05-18 16:42:50
A Mercury-sized planet, about 1500 light years away seems to be smoldering to ash due from the heat of its nearby hot orange star. Researchers at MIT and NASA found a long tail of debris, similar to a comet, revolving in sync with the planet's orbit.

Launch Webcast: See SpaceX Launch Dragon Capsule Saturday

2012-05-18 16:41:29
Tune in to see SpaceX launch its first flight to the space station Saturday at 4:55 a.m. ET.

Star Trails Seen from the ISS Cupola

2012-05-18 15:57:55
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit took photos of star trails, terrestrial lights, airglow and auroras while aboard the International Space Station.

Stakes High for 1st Private Rocket Launch to Space Station Saturday

2012-05-18 15:45:40
The stakes are high for SpaceX's planned launch of the Dragon capsule to the space station on Saturday.

Star Trails Seen from the ISS in Swirls

2012-05-18 15:45:29
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit took photos of star trails, terrestrial lights, airglow and auroras while aboard the International Space Station.

Launch Day Timeline for SpaceX?s Dragon

2012-05-18 15:43:29
Saturday morning?s launch window for SpaceX’s historic test flight to the International Space Station lasts just one second. Company President Gwynne Shotwell predicted they have ?better than a 50-50 shot on whether we lift off tomorrow,? she said at a press conference today, adding, ?If we lift off, we?ll get to orbit.? Shotwell and NASA ...

What Will Happen During Tomorrow?s SpaceX Launch:

2012-05-18 15:00:55
With less than a day left before SpaceX’s historic launch of the first commercial vehicle to the ISS, slated for 4:55 am EDT on Saturday, May 19, here’s a video of what will happen once the Falcon lifts off. (Part of me really wishes that they’ll be pumping out some dramatic music when it launches!) ...

Russian Rocket Launches TV Satellite

2012-05-18 14:51:00
The Proton rocket carried the Nimiq 6 television satellite to space.

Science Fiction Barely Ahead of Space Exploration Reality

2012-05-18 14:47:53
Famous SF writers weigh in on whether today's space

The 5 Most Promising Private Spaceships

2012-05-18 14:34:10
A look at five of the most promising private spacecraft in development today.

NASA Embraces Commercial Space | Video

2012-05-18 14:24:01
By meeting obligations necessary to keep the ISS fully supplied, commercial space companies can free up NASA to fulfill its charter, which includes human exploration ? and settlement ? of the Solar System.

The Future in 2312: Q&A With Author Kim Stanley Robinson - Part 2

2012-05-18 14:21:19
The author describes what he thinks and hopes will come to pass in 300 years.

Terraforming the Solar System: Q&A With Author Kim Stanley Robinson - Part 1

2012-05-18 14:21:17
The author describes his vision for the future in the new novel '2312.'

News Links

John Kelly: Commercial flights can succeed - Florida Today

2012-05-20 01:16:48

As NASA scales back, commercial adventurers look to new horizons - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

2012-05-19 21:09:10

SpaceX aborts first private launch to space station - Los Angeles Times

2012-05-19 20:13:31

This eclipse runs a ring around the others - Los Angeles Times

2012-05-19 20:13:06

NASA Google Map Shows Path of Solar Eclipse - PCWorld

2012-05-19 11:18:24

Commercial space vehicle launch aborted - CNN International

2012-05-19 09:20:51

Commercial space vehicle launch aborted - CNN

2012-05-19 06:10:14

SpaceX rocket launch aborted in last second - Seattle Post Intelligencer

2012-05-19 06:08:04

SpaceX's historic launch to space station scrubbed at last second - Los Angeles Times

2012-05-19 06:06:53

Rocket set to blast off, open new space era with commercial flight to orbiting ... - Washington Post

2012-05-19 03:05:59

A green future: NASA's $10 million project explores algae of as fuel source - San Jose Mercury News

2012-05-19 00:42:42

Report: NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities - Space Ref (press release)

2012-05-18 20:35:37

Historic NASA facility sets sights on deep space - msnbc.com

2012-05-18 19:35:02

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 18 May 2012 - Space Ref (press release)

2012-05-18 18:38:35

NASA to Watch Solar Eclipse from Grand Canyon Sunday - Space.com

2012-05-18 18:32:18

Touch the moon at NASA traveling exhibit in SLC - StandardNet

2012-05-18 17:22:12

SpaceX set for historic commercial flight to station - CNET

2012-05-18 16:42:15

Photos: Experience "NASA's" Amazing Mission To Mars Inside The Park Ave Armory - Gothamist

2012-05-18 15:37:53

Historic NASA Facility Ready for Deep Space Capsule Prototype - Space.com

2012-05-18 14:20:16

CASIS Is Charging Taxpayers For Access To NASA Space Station Research Paid For ... - Space Ref (press release)

2012-05-18 13:10:06

Ambitious mission looms for SpaceX - USA TODAY

2012-05-18 12:56:18

Kennedy Space Center Welcoming Visitors During 50th Anniversary Year with ... - MarketWatch (press release)

2012-05-18 12:16:23

NASA Invites Media To Annual Lunabotics Mining Competition - MarketWatch (press release)

2012-05-18 11:46:16

Satellite to watch "ring of fire" solar Eclipse from space Sunday - CBS News

2012-05-18 11:33:37

NASA Announces 2012 Space Technology Research Fellowship Grants - Space Ref (press release)

2012-05-18 11:23:03

At SpaceX Launch, Champagne But No Joysticks - Forbes

2012-05-18 09:16:35

'Britain needs a space port to compete in rapidly growing space tourism industry' - Daily Mail

2012-05-18 08:18:32

4700 potentially dangerous asteroids lurk near Earth, NASA says - Fox News

2012-05-18 08:02:43

SpaceX: Next Frontier After NASA? - ABC News

2012-05-18 06:30:58

NASA, SpaceX Aim To Launch Private Era In Orbit - NPR

2012-05-18 03:14:05