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193 articles
SpaceX’s first space-worthy Crew Dragon capsule arrives at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX’s first Crew Dragon spacecraft, a capsule designed to eventually carry astronauts on treks to the International Space Station, has arrived at Cape Canaveral to begin preparations for launch on an unpiloted test flight later this year.

New helium tank for SpaceX crew launches still waiting to fly
SpaceX is still working on a new, safer helium tank design needed for launches with astronauts, and the debut of the company's upgraded Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket earlier this month did not count as one of seven successful missions in "crew configuration" NASA says it requires before putting astronauts aboard the vehicle, officials said Thursday.

Photos: Bangabandhu 1 launched by upgraded Falcon 9 rocket
SpaceX’s upgraded Falcon 9 rocket debuted May 11 with a successful launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying the Bangabandhu 1 communications satellite.

SpaceX debuts new model of the Falcon 9 rocket designed for astronauts
SpaceX debuted a more reusable, higher-thrust model of the Falcon 9 rocket Friday, hauling Bangladesh’s first communications satellite into orbit from Florida's Space Coast.

NASA could extend space station stays as hedge against commercial crew delays
NASA is working with the Russian space agency to potentially extend crew stays on the International Space Station, the agency's acting administrator said last week, as a cushion against expected delays in the development of commercial crew capsules by Boeing and SpaceX.

Engine for upgraded Falcon 9 rocket explodes on test stand
A Merlin engine designed for the version of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts into orbit for NASA failed during testing Saturday in Texas, but the company said its upcoming launches will not be affected by the accident.

Anticipating upgraded spaceships, SpaceX builds final first-generation Dragon cargo craft
The Dragon supply ship set for liftoff from Florida next month was the last of SpaceX's first-generation cargo capsules off the production line, meaning future logistics deliveries to the International Space Station will fly on recycled spacecraft until a new Dragon variant is ready.
VideoPropulsive landings nixed from SpaceX’s Dragon spaceship
SpaceX's upgraded Dragon capsules will not return astronauts to Earth for powered landings as originally envisioned, company boss Elon Musk said Wednesday, a design change that raises questions about the space transport firm's plans to send commercial landers to the surface of Mars.

Q&A with Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO
SpaceX's Elon Musk spoke with reporters Monday about his company's plan to launch two space tourists on a loop around the moon in 2018.

SpaceX to send two private citizens around the moon and back
SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk announced Monday plans to send two paying "private individuals" on a week-long flight around the moon and back to Earth by the end of next year.