Sierra Nevada challenges NASA’s commercial crew decision

(Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser – Photo Credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation)

Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Dream Chaser spacecraft was in the running to become one of NASA’s new American launch vehicles, but sadly, the company lost out to SpaceX and Boeing last week. However following NASA’s announcement, Sierra Nevada have now laid off about 100 employees, who had been working on its Dream Chaser vehicle, and have filed a protest against NASA with the U.S. Government.

NASA awards Boeing and SpaceX with $6.2bn ‘Space Taxi’ contract

(SpaceX’s Dragon crew capsule – Photo Credit: SpaceX)

NASA has announced that Boeing and SpaceX will begin transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station from 2017 under a groundbreaking new contract worth $6.2 billion, bringing the space agency one step closer to launching into space from U.S. soil once again.

US Air Force’s secret unmanned X-37B space plane celebrates 600 days in orbit

(The space plane after landing – Photo Credit: US Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force’s unmanned X-37B space plane has passed a milestone: 600 days in orbit on a mysterious classified military mission that seems endless.

NASA prepares for Space Launch System engine tests

(RS-25 rocket engine No. 0525 positioned in preparation for testing – Photo Credit: NASA)

Engineers at NASA have taken a crucial step in the construction of agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) by installing one of the rocket’s RS-25 engines on the A-1 Test Stand at the Stennis Space Center in preparation for extensive assessments.

NASA and Boeing finalize $2.8 billion SLS contract

(Artist’s conception of the SLS – Photo Credit: NASA/MSFC)

Following the completion of a Critical Design Review (CDR), Boeing has signed a $2.8 billion contract with NASA to begin full production of the core stage of the heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS), the first human space exploration vessel since Saturn V – the rocket that sent man to the moon.

SpaceX’s Dragon resupply craft returns to Earth after a month at the International Space Station

(Photo credit – SpaceX/NASA)

SpaceX’s third commercial resupply mission came to a close on 18^th May as the Dragon spacecraft ended its 28-day stay at the International Space Station and parachuted into the Pacific Ocean.