Gallery: Antares rocket explodes

The first pair of RD-181 rocket engines set to launch on Orbital ATK’s redesigned Antares rocket are in the final stages of acceptance testing in Russia ahead of their export to the United States in early July, officials said.

An eight-ton cargo ship destined for the International Space Station was hoisted aboard its United Launch Alliance Atlas-Centaur booster rocket today in preparation for liftoff to the orbiting laboratory next week.

Skywatchers along the U.S. East Coast have a chance of getting a unique light show from Monday evening’s launch of an Antares rocket from Virginia’s Eastern Shore.