Boeing plays a key role in the scientific exploration of space, and has for many years. On this Web site, Boeing outlines numerous projects and developments currently underway. There are five general areas of the site, which include launch and orbital systems, human spaceflight and exploration, global connectivity, integrated battlespace, and missile defense. Each of these sections offers detailed...

Originally a way of recognizing the companies who developed technology for use in US space efforts, the Space Certification Program was eventually adopted in consumer products and other terrestrial applications. Examples of such technologies include heat shields, water filtration systems, and the famous zero-gravity space pen. This Web site highlights some of these certified products. Each...

Sponsored by Friends and Partners in Space and edited by Mark Wade, this site is a bit hard on the eyes, but it has few peers in terms of the sheer mountains of material it offers on spaceflight by all nations of the world. There is so much here that it is hard to decide where to begin. The main page offers a long list of highlights and new additions, most of them generously illustrated. The site...

A participant in the U.S. space program since the 1950s, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado conducts research in atmospheric and planetary sciences, develops space instrumentation, and creates computer information systems. Through the extensive Tour, visitors can learn about LASP's assistance in unmanned robot spacecraft missions and its...

This pdf document highlights many of practical benefits society gains from NASA's work in space flight, space science, earth science, and aeronautics research and technology development. Users can learn how space-based beacon locators are used to provide global rescue systems. The website discusses NASA's work on ways to grow plants using hydroponics as well as how the Hubble Space Telescope...

This online article, produced by NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research, discusses the research initiative to develop membranes that could solve some of the problems associated with traveling to and from Mars. With the help of a comprehensible explanation and a diagram, visitors can learn how NASA is planning to extract CO2 from the Martian atmosphere to propel rockets and rovers. The...

This article from New Scientist highlights the most recent actions that are bringing us closer to commercial space flight -- the granting of the first licence to a private company. The one-year license authorizes the launching of people up to 100 kilometers. Apparently, the company is competing with other companies to win a prize being offered by the X Prize Foundation, which will be awarded to...

Released on July 23, 2003, this report details the causes of the failure of NASA's X-43A flight vehicle. The mishap occurred in June 2001 and was immediately followed by the organization of an investigation board, which is the source of this document. An overview of the Hyper-X Program and X-43A mission are presented, describing the components and configuration of the vehicle. The report then...

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is the location of an ongoing initiative to make access to space easier and more affordable. The center conducts extensive space propulsion research; four focus areas include advanced chemical propulsion, plasma propulsion, high-powered electrical propulsion, and propellantless propulsion. There is also a lot of information about the Integrated Space...

Humans have been traveling around through space for a number of decades now, but this week a new landmark was reached that hints at the possibility that more people may be able to have similar experiences in the near future. On Monday, the privately funded spacecraft SpaceShipOne climbed to a height of 377,591 feet (or 71.5 miles), thereby winning the $10 million Ansari X Prize. The award is...