Fifty Years of Human Spaceflight

Human spaceflight has come a long way over the last 50 years since the launch of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961 during the Vostok 1 mission. SPACE.com looks at just how far spaceflight has come and what's on the horizon.

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Government Shutdown Would Ground NASA 'Almost Entirely,' Obama Says

U.S. President Barack Obama gives a statement to reporters on Sept. 29, 2013 to discuss the looming government shutdown of Oct. 1, which would shut down much of NASA.

September 30th, 2013

NASA will be among the government agencies to experience a near total shutdown if the threatened government shutdown becomes reality on Tuesday, President Barack Obama said today (Sept. 30).

NASA May Slam Captured Asteroid Into Moon (Eventually)

Asteroid Redirect Vehicle with Capture Bag and EVA

September 29th, 2013

NASA's bold asteroid-capture mission may not end when astronauts leave the space rock for the last time. Seeing it through could require disposing of the asteroid in a safe — and possibly very dramatic — manner, experts say.

Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week - Sept. 29, 2013

Mars Rover Curiosity on Sol 85

September 29th, 2013

What was your favorite space news story of the last week?

Private Space Race: 2 Commercial Spaceships Now Available for Space Station Deliveries

Orbital Sciences' first Cygnus spacecraft is seen nearing the International Space Station in this photo taken by an astronaut aboard the orbiting lab on Sept. 29, 2013, during the spacecraft's first rendezvous.

September 30th, 2013

Two private American companies are now responsible for hauling cargo to the International Space Station for NASA. Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft attached to the orbiting laboratory today by 8:44 a.m. EDT (1244 GMT), a first for the cargo ship.

Private Cygnus Spacecraft Makes Historic 1st Rendezvous with Space Station

The first commercial Cygnus spacecraft is moved into docking position by the International Space Station's robotic arm on Sept. 29, 2013 after arriving at the orbiting lab during a major test flight by spacecraft builder Orbital Sciences Corp.

September 29th, 2013

An unmanned Cygnus cargo spacecraft built by Orbital Sciences arrived at the International Space Station early Sunday (Sept. 29), capping a major test flight for the new private spacecraft. This is the first-ever station visit for the Cygnus spacecraft.

The Rockets and Spaceships of SpaceX (Photos)

The new circular Octaweb engine arrangement of SpaceX's nine Falcon 9 Merlin 1D engines is seen in this image.

September 29th, 2013

See photos of Dragon, Grasshopper and other SpaceX rockets taken since the company was founded in 2002.

How a Potential Government Shutdown Could Affect NASA

September 27th, 2013

Fewer than 600 of NASA's 18,000 or so employees would likely keep working through a shutdown — the minimum needed to help ensure the safety of human life and the protection of property, according to a plan the space agency submitted to the Office of Manag

NASA Asteroid-Capture Mission Workshop Today: How to Watch Live

Asteroid Capturing Spacecraft Concept

September 30th, 2013

The workshop will discuss some fresh ideas about how to grab an asteroid and park it in orbit around the moon. You can watch a live stream of the workshop presentations, which begin today at 1 p.m. EDT, here at SPACE.com, courtesy of NASA TV.

Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week - Sept. 29, 2013

Mars Rover Curiosity on Sol 85

September 29th, 2013

What was your favorite space news story of the last week?

'Made in Space!' Astronaut Sews Dinosaur Toy from Space Station Scraps

NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg's stuffed toy dinosaur floats on the International Space Station. She made the doll for her son using materials she found on the orbiting outpost

September 29th, 2013

There is a dinosaur aboard the International Space Station (ISS) where there wasn't one before. 'Made in space!!' Karen Nyberg, an ISS Expedition 37 flight engineer, exclaimed in her caption for a photo of the toy dinosaur that she shared on via Pintrest.