Photos: NASA's Space Launch System for Deep Space Flights

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NASA's New Spaceships Could Tag-Team Asteroid

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Orion capsule testing facility

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s Space Operations Simulation Center in Colorado can simulate on-orbit docking maneuvers, using mockups of NASA's Orion space capsule (left) and the International Space Station.

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

NASA

Artist's rendering of NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle on a deep space mission.

Operation 'Plymouth Rock': Astronauts on an Asteroid

Lockheed Martin

This artist's illustration depicts a 'Plymouth Rock' asteroid mission with astronauts and NASA's Orion spacecraft as envisioned by Lockheed Martin.

New Moon Rocket Could Launch Giant Space Telescopes

NASA/MSFC

This artist's concept shows the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, formerly under consideration as the next space launch vehicle.

Artist Concept: SLS Initial Configuration

NASA

The initial configuration of SLS will be able to launch payloads in a five-meter-class fairing compatible with current spacecraft designs. (Concept updated Jan. 14, 2014.)

SLS: Numerous Benefits for Scientific Missions

NASA

This artist concept shows NASA's Space Launch System, or SLS, which offers numerous benefits for scientific missions, from larger spacecraft mass to reduced travel time through the solar system in route to other worlds. (Concept updated Jan. 14, 2014.)

Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.