Kepler discovers first Earth-sized planets around Sun-like stars
Posted: Wed, Dec 21 10:53 AM ET (1553 GMT)
Astronomers announced Tuesday the discovery of the first planets similar in size to the Earth around a Sun-like star. The planets, designated Kepler-20e...

Former astronaut tapped to lead NASA science programs
Posted: Tue, Dec 20 7:27 AM ET (1227 GMT)
A former astronaut best known for his work repairing the Hubble Space Telescope has been named NASA's new associate administrator for science. John Grunsfeld,...

China launches communications satellite for Nigeria
Posted: Tue, Dec 20 7:19 AM ET (1219 GMT)
A Chinese rocket placed into orbit Tuesday a new communications satellite for Nigeria. The Long March 3B lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center...

Phobos-Grunt expected to reenter next month
Posted: Sun, Dec 18 12:29 PM ET (1729 GMT)
Russian officials now believe the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft, stranded in Earth orbit since its launch in early November, will reenter some time next month. Officials...

Soyuz launches six satellites from Kourou
Posted: Sat, Dec 17 10:29 AM ET (1529 GMT)
A Soyuz rocket lifted off from Kourou Friday night, placing six French and Chilean satellites into orbit. The Soyuz STA rocket lifted off from Kourou,...

NASA revises procurement strategy for commercial crew program
Posted: Fri, Dec 16 7:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)
Citing uncertain budgets, NASA announced Thursday it was switching from a fixed-price contract back to Space Act Agreements (SAAs) for the next phase of...

Astronomers spot gas cloud approaching black hole
Posted: Thu, Dec 15 7:54 AM ET (1254 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week the discovery of a cloud of gas that will fall into our galaxy's supermassive black hole within the next two...

Allen, Rutan unveil air launch project
Posted: Wed, Dec 14 7:49 AM ET (1249 GMT)
A new venture announced Tuesday will reunite famed designer Burt Rutan and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to develop an air-launch system on a...

Orbital Sciences renames Taurus II rocket "Antares"
Posted: Tue, Dec 13 7:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced Monday that it is renaming the Taurus II rocket it is developing to launch cargo missions to the ISS to "Antares"....

Japan launches reconnaissance satellite
Posted: Tue, Dec 13 7:14 AM ET (1214 GMT)
A Japanese rocket launched the latest in a series of reconnaissance satellites for the country on Monday. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima...