Live coverage of Delta 4 countdown and launch

Fans of classical mythology and the fictional Star Trek universe can vote for two new candidates as the name of United Launch Alliance’s next generation rocket, with Vulcan and Zeus joining three other options in an online poll revealed earlier this week.

NASA’s acting administrator said Tuesday he does not expect Russian cosmonauts to start launching to the International Space Station on U.S. commercial crew vehicles until next year. A proposed agreement with Russia to ensure the space station is always staffed with an international crew is awaiting U.S. government approval.

Assembly of a 19-story Atlas rocket started today for a commercial launch next month to aid Mexico’s telecommunications reform aimed at economic growth and the betterment of its societal welfare.