Space

International Space Station partners are beginning to discuss expanding use of the orbital outpost to test “extensible” technology for the long trek to the surface of Mars, with a new pressurized module and year-long tours for as many as a dozen crew members among the topics under consideration.

European joint venture could scrap solid-fueled Ariane 6 design and give Germany larger role

NanoRacks and Astrium North America are preparing to deploy a $5 million privately funded accommodation for commercial payloads outside the International Space Station, as the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (Casis) continues its effort to promote commercial activities on the orbiting laboratory.

‘Rationales’ for human space exploration run from the scientific to survival

Mars is the near-term exploration goal; here are some of the hurdles in the way

Fleet of planetary probes is paving the way for humans to Mars, and pushing deeper

Spacecraft to transport humans to Mars take shape amid uncertainty over their route

Computer-code model is shaping human-spaceflight developments

Darpa-backed membrane optics may deliver deep-space video

How much cost data is needed for commercial space contracts?

Does the U.S. need a new rocket engine?

With Skybox, Google extends its aerospace reach and imaging capabilities

New rocket engine program will likely pit kerosene against methane

Countries around the world pursue space solar-power projects

Launch pad abort trials are first key test for spacecraft that could first carry humans in 2016

Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corp. are in the midst of key tests and final critical design reviews (CDR) as NASA prepares to award Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contracts under the second phase of its plan to certify a U.S.-developed means of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station starting in 2017.

Many all-electric satellites are in the works, but sales remain slow

Crimea is a wild card in U.S. launch plans

‘Alpha’ SSP concept would start small with high-bandwidth wireless

Space solar power is free; getting it will not be cheap

The U.S. Air Force is rattled about the state of American rocket propulsion.

Science closing in on extraterrestrial life

Upcoming flight test is shaping Orion design, Moon mission date

With Europe in the critical path, NASA targets joint Orion mission

Europe will consider alternate designs for affordable Ariane 5 successor