Snapshots from Atlas 5 launch

Two months after a first test-firing ended prematurely, NASA plans to ignite the core stage of the first Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket again Thursday for an eight-minute burn to confirm it is ready for shipment to the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations.

This will be the second hearing for the commercial astronaut, billionaire and entrepreneur following his first go around in April. This hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC).

Blue Origin plans to launch its single stage New Shepard suborbital booster Wednesday as the commercial space company moves closer to flying people to the edge of space.