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International Space Station

Sunday March 1, 2015

ISS Spacewalkers Perform Tricky Cable, Antenna Installation

Astronaut Terry Virts points to his helmet as he sits inside the International Space Station on Wednesday. AP hide caption

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ISS Spacewalkers Perform Tricky Cable, Antenna Installation

March 1, 2015 • Two American astronauts at the Space Station are outside the craft for the last of three jobs aimed at paving the way to receive a new generation of crew modules beginning in 2017.

Thursday February 12, 2015

Space Station Astronauts In Star Wars-Themed Crew Pic

Expedition 45 poses for a Star Wars themed portrait NASA hide caption

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NASA

Space Station Astronauts In Star Wars-Themed Crew Pic

February 12, 2015 • First there was suited-up astronaut Leland Melvin posing with his dogs. Now, a Space Station crew set for launch in September has donned Jedi robes.

Friday January 16, 2015

An image provided by SpaceX showing the barge that was used in an unsuccessful attempt to recover the Falcon 9 first stage. AP hide caption

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WATCH: SpaceX Booster Crashes On Barge

January 16, 2015 • The company's resupply mission to the International Space Station went off without a hitch last week, but an attempt to land the spent booster on a floating platform didn't go as well.

Saturday January 10, 2015

SpaceX Launch Successful; Recovery Attempt 'Close, But No Cigar'

The Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Saturday. John Raoux/AP hide caption

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John Raoux/AP

SpaceX Launch Successful; Recovery Attempt 'Close, But No Cigar'

January 10, 2015 • The private launch contractor resupplying the ISS said a plan to recover the rocket's spent first stage at sea hit a snag.

Sunday November 30, 2014

To Boldly Go Where No 3-D Printer Has Gone Before: Yep, Space

International Space Station Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore holds up the first object made in space with 3-D printing on Nov. 25. NASA hide caption

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NASA

To Boldly Go Where No 3-D Printer Has Gone Before: Yep, Space

November 30, 2014 • NASA 3-D printed an object on the International Space Station for the first time this week. It's an important step toward long missions — like to Mars — where all necessary items won't fit on board.

To Boldly Go Where No 3-D Printer Has Gone Before: Yep, Space

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Friday September 19, 2014

The new capsules are being built by Boeing and SpaceX. They look similar, but there are differences. SpaceX, The Boeing Company hide caption

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SpaceX, The Boeing Company

How NASA's New Spaceships Stack Up

September 19, 2014 • Earlier this week, NASA awarded two contracts for new spaceships to commercial companies. Here's how they compare.

How NASA's New Spaceships Stack Up

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Sunday July 13, 2014

Antares Blasts Off On ISS Supply Mission

In a photo provided by NASA, the Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket launches with the Cygnus spacecraft aboard, on Sunday from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Bill Ingalls/AP hide caption

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Bill Ingalls/AP

The Two-Way

Antares Blasts Off On ISS Supply Mission

July 13, 2014 • The rocket, built by commercial firm Orbital Sciences, carries an unmanned Cygnus capsule. It lifted off from a pad at Wallops Island, Va.

Tuesday July 8, 2014

What It Takes To Make A Decent Cup Of Coffee In Space

Leave it to the Italians to design a capsule-based espresso system for astronauts who miss their morning cup. Andrea Guermani/Courtesy of Lavazza hide caption

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Andrea Guermani/Courtesy of Lavazza

The Salt

What It Takes To Make A Decent Cup Of Coffee In Space

July 8, 2014 • Italian engineers say they've finally come up with a way to brew espresso on the ISS so astronauts can ditch the instant coffee. We asked: What's so hard about making coffee in space? Answer: A lot.

Monday June 16, 2014

Finally! A Decent Espresso On The International Space Station

The new ISSpresso orbital espresso machine. Argotec hide caption

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Argotec

The Two-Way

Finally! A Decent Espresso On The International Space Station

June 16, 2014 • An Italian aerospace firm, in conjunction with coffee company Lavazza and the Italian space agency, have jointly developed a system for producing zero-gravity espresso.

Monday May 19, 2014

NASA Chief Dismisses Concern Over Russia Quitting Space Station

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speaks during a news conference in Berlin on Monday. Bolden said no single country was indispensable to the International Space Station's success. Michael Sohn/AP hide caption

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Michael Sohn/AP

The Two-Way

NASA Chief Dismisses Concern Over Russia Quitting Space Station

May 19, 2014 • Administrator Charles Bolden said no one country was indispensable to the ISS after Moscow last week said it would not participate in a plan to extend the station's life past 2020.

Thursday March 27, 2014

After Detour, Soyuz Successfully Docks With ISS

The Soyuz approaches the International Space Station. NASA hide caption

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NASA

The Two-Way

After Detour, Soyuz Successfully Docks With ISS

March 27, 2014 • On the way to the International Space Station, the Russian capsule had a wrinkle with a thruster, but was able to dock successfully on Thursday night.

Wednesday March 26, 2014

Soyuz Misfire Delays Crew Trying To Reach Space Station

From left: U.S. astronaut Steve Swanson, and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev prior to the launch of their Soyuz-FG rocket Wednesday at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Lovetsky/AP hide caption

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Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

The Two-Way

Soyuz Misfire Delays Crew Trying To Reach Space Station

March 26, 2014 • One of the engines on a capsule carrying an American and two Russians failed to fire at the right time. That has turned a six-hour journey to the International Space Station into a two-day trip.

Monday March 10, 2014

Despite Diplomatic Tensions, U.S.-Russia Space Ties Persist

Russian personnel are the first to meet space station crew members when they return to earth. Bill Ingalls/NASA hide caption

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Bill Ingalls/NASA

The Two-Way

Despite Diplomatic Tensions, U.S.-Russia Space Ties Persist

March 10, 2014 • NASA needs Russian rockets to reach the International Space Station, and Russia needs NASA's money to help finance operations.

Despite Diplomatic Tensions, U.S.-Russia Space Ties Persist

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Tuesday February 11, 2014

PHOTO: Sochi Olympic Park As Seen From Space

A photo of Sochi's Olympic Park as seen from the International Space Station. NASA hide caption

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NASA

The Edge

PHOTO: Sochi Olympic Park As Seen From Space

February 11, 2014 • The astronauts aboard the International Space Station give us a view of the Olympics that we haven't seen.

Wednesday January 8, 2014

NASA Reportedly Gets OK To Keep Space Station Going Until 2024

Astronauts Mike Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio replace a pump on the International Space Station during a spacewalk last month. NASA/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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NASA/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

NASA Reportedly Gets OK To Keep Space Station Going Until 2024

January 8, 2014 • The Orlando Sentinel reports that the White House has given approval for the extension, which still must be funded by Congress. However, the decision could lead to a budget crunch down the road.