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NEWS ABOUT: space shuttle

Captain Kirk Launches Discovery's Final Flight

Shuttle leaves space station, set to land on Wednesday

(Newser) - Discovery left the International Space Station for the last time today, but not before getting a rousing send-off from Captain Kirk himself. As the astronauts woke, they were treated to the unmistakable voice of William Shatner. "Space the final frontier," the recording said. "These have been the... More »

NASA Marks 25th Anniversary of Challenger Disaster

Agency pays tribute to fallen astronauts

(Newser) - NASA officials will gather at Kennedy Space Center today to mark the 25th anniversary of one of the worst disasters in the history of space travel. The space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after take-off on Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts aboard. The widow of Challenger commander... More »

Private Spacecraft Returns From Orbit in Historic First

SpaceX plans to run supplies to space station next year

(Newser) - The Falcon 9 rocket blasted off into orbit today, and its on-board capsule successfully returned to Earth about 3 hours later—the first time a private company negotiated a re-entry from orbit, reports AP . The test flight by SpaceX is a big step toward NASA's goal of privatizing certain space... More »

Private Rocket Goes Into Orbit

SpaceX craft 's success boosts NASA's post-shuttle plans

(AP) - A multimillionaire's test rocket blasted off this afternoon on its maiden voyage and succeeded in reaching orbit in a dry run for NASA 's push to go commercial. After one aborted launch, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket achieved Earth orbit 9 minutes into the flight as planned, according to the company's... More »

Shuttle Atlantis Touches Down a Final Time

NASA hoping White House will relent, grant 1 more flight

(AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis is back on Earth, and its flying career is over. Atlantis and its six-man crew landed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center this morning, marking the end of Atlantis' 25 years of service. Only two shuttle missions remain, by NASA's two other spaceships. The space agency would like... More »

Up for Grabs: Free* Space Shuttle *$29M Postage & Handling Required

Museums vie for soon-to-be-retired spacecraft

(Newser) - NASA is preparing to give away its space shuttle fleet to institutions willing to cough up $28.8 million per spacecraft for cleaning and transportation. Atlantis will be retired after returning from its final mission today and some two dozen museums and other institutions around the country are vying to... More »

Atlantis Docks With Space Station

Mission to deliver Russian room to be shuttle's last

(Newser) - Space shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station for the final time this morning, reports Space.com , capping a two-day flight meant to deliver a $200 million Russian module. "It is an absolutely stunning view," said Atlantis' commander as the ISS came into view. Hatches are to... More »

Discovery Lands Safely in Fla.

Shuttle made rare pass over Heartland

(AP) - Space shuttle Discovery is back on Earth. The shuttle and its seven astronauts landed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center this morning, an arrival delayed by rain that popped up right before daybreak. But the sky cleared and Mission Control was able to bring Discovery home. Rain also thwarted yesterday's tries. More »

Obama Says of the Moon: Been There, Done That

There's a lot more out there to explore, he says

(Newser) - President Obama insisted today that he's "100% committed" to NASA and future space missions. But the moon is old news, and it's time to think bigger. "We've been there before," he said at Kennedy Space Center, unswayed by critics who say his vision will bring an end... More »

Racing Bad Weather, Shuttle Endeavour Lands in Florida

Space shuttle safely wraps up mission after 2 weeks, 3 spacewalks

(Newser) - The first of the space shuttle program's final five missions ended without a hitch tonight as Endeavour landed at Cape Canaveral, beating bad weather forecast for the Florida coast. "Houston, it is great to be home," the mission commander said after returning from the International Space Station on... More »

Shuttle Crew Return Moon Rock to Space

Apollo 11 rock left behind as Endeavour finishes mission to ISS

(Newser) - The Endeavour shuttle departed the ISS last night, leaving behind the station's new connecting hub and observation deck as well as one well-traveled lump of rock. A lunar rock brought to Earth by Neil Armstrong and brought to the top of Mount Everest by astronaut Scott Parazynski is now an... More »

Space Station Gets Observation Deck

Astronauts complete mission, attach glass dome

(Newser) - After a long night spent struggling with bolts and wiring, astronauts have attached a new observation deck complete with glass lookout dome to the International Space Station. Two of the astronauts used a giant robotic arm to move the observation deck—which is expected to provide unprecedented 360-degree views of... More »

Shuttle Blasts Off on Last Night Flight

Endeavour headed for construction work at space station

(Newser) - The shuttle Endeavour lifted off early this morning from Cape Canaveral in what will likely be the last nighttime launch of the soon-to-end space shuttle program. The six astronauts on board are hauling a new room and observation deck up to the International Space Station, where they are set to... More »

Clouds Delay Last Nighttime Shuttle Launch

Endeavour now looks for liftoff early Monday

(AP) - Clouds prevented space shuttle Endeavour from blasting off this morning on the last planned nighttime shuttle launch, delaying its trip with a final few building blocks for the International Space Station. Launch time was re-scheduled for 4:14am tomorrow. It's expected to be the last shuttle launch in darkness; only... More »

Obama Budget Pulls Plug on Moon-Travel Program

Project over budget and behind schedule, administration complains

(Newser) - The proposed federal budget would end NASA’s Constellation program, a Bush administration effort to return to the moon, along with the Ares rocket the agency had intended as a replacement for the space shuttles. President Obama's budget plan said the program “was over budget, behind schedule and lacking... More »

Fire Sale! NASA Slashes Price of Shuttles 32%

Space agency hoping to unload them for $29 million apiece

(Newser) - NASA space shuttles are now priced to sell. The space agency cut the per-shuttle price from $42 million to $29 million for Endeavour and Atlantis, reports the Orlando Sentinel . NASA is retiring the fleet at the end of the year and hopes museums or schools want them for display. The... More »

NASA Finds Cocaine at Shuttle Facility

Staffers undergo drug tests, and Discovery is being re-checked

(Newser) - NASA is investigating 200 staffers and rechecking shuttle equipment after finding cocaine at a Florida facility charged with servicing the shuttle Discovery. The agency drug-tested each of the employees after finding drug residue in a plastic bag, but it hasn't released results. NASA will double-check Discovery's systems to make sure... More »

Atlantis Crew Finishes Mission

Astronauts complete final spacewalk

(Newser) - Astronauts from the space shuttle Atlantis finished the final spacewalk of their mission at the International Space Station today, clearing the way for their return Wednesday. Astronauts Robert Satcher and Randy Bresnik installed a science experiment that will test how materials, including a new kind of Teflon, hold up to... More »

Space Shuttle Lifts Off Safely

Atlantis heads for space station loaded with spare parts

(Newser) - Space shuttle Atlantis took off without a hitch this afternoon, departing Cape Canaveral, Fla., for the International Space Station. After a cloudy morning, the weather improved and the spacecraft lifted off on schedule at 2:28pm, carrying six astronauts—half of them first-timers in space—and two carriers filled with... More »

Shuttle Launch Comes With Real-World 'Tweetup'

NASA Twitter followers get front-row seats

(Newser) - Final preparations for tomorrow's space shuttle launch include inspecting Atlantis, briefing the six-person crew, and making sure followers of NASA's Twitter feed can see from where they're sitting. The first 100 people to register for the event received 2-day passes that include an in-person look at the launch. "I'm... More »

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