Oct 12th, 2004 · Commentator Andrew Chaikin remembers NASA engineer Max Faget designed the Mercury capsule and Apollo command module for the manned space flight program. He died Saturday in Houston at age 83.
Oct 8th, 2004 · We consider what might be ahead for the future of private space travel. Will the SpaceShipOne flight kick off a new era of space development?
Oct 7th, 2004 · NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to NPR's Ira Flatow for an update on recent developments in the NASA space shuttle program. The shuttles have been grounded since the Columbia shuttle broke up during re-entry over Texas more than a year ago.
Oct 7th, 2004 · NPR's Tavis Smiley talks to tech guru Omar Wasow about SpaceShipOne winning the X-Prize, and when civilians can expect to take their own ride into space.
Oct 4th, 2004 · A privately financed craft succeeds in taking a pilot into space for the second time in less than two weeks. In doing so, SpaceShipOne wins the so-called X-Prize of $10 million for the team funded by Paul Allen, a founder of Microsoft. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.
Oct 4th, 2004 · SpaceShipOne becomes the first privately funded rocket plane to complete two trips to the edge of space within a two-week window. The feat makes the craft the apparent winner of a $10-million award known as the X-Prize, designed to encourage space tourism. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.
Sep 30th, 2004 · Are we witnessing the birth of a commercial space flight industry? Day to Day technology contributor Xeni Jardin reports on Wednesday's launch of SpaceShipOne. The craft is the top competitor in the race for the Ansari X-prize, a global competition to build the first viable commercial spaceship. The winning team is set to receive a $10-million award.
Sep 17th, 2004 · Zero Gravity Flight September 17, 2004 · Day to Day technology reporter Xeni Jardin speaks with NPR's Noah Adams about her experience aboard a special airplane that allows the general public to experience zero gravity -- a ride once reserved exclusively for astronauts training for space flight.