Spaceflight

Spaceflight covers topics related to human presence in outer space. Learn about weightlessness, astronauts and space tourism in this section.

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It's launch time for the first privately funded space flight. In the course of battle for the X Prize, a group called Scaled Composites has built and tested SpaceShipOne, a sub-orbital spacecraft intended to carry tourists on the ride of their life. Learn all about the craft.

By Robert Valdes

In space, poop is often a problem. Maybe it will be part of the solution, thanks to a study showing waste can become protein and fat.

By Nathan Chandler

That's one small step for man ... one giant lie to mankind?

By Mark Mancini

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We like to think that we aren’t alone in saying a spaceship was the one and only thing we truly yearned for as children. After all, many spent years locked in front of a television, captivated by remarkable space battles, galaxies far, far away, aliens, black holes, and the like. We’ve seen things you couldn’t […] The post The Coolest Spaceships in Science Fiction appeared first on Goliath.

By Jim Halden

A new space race is on -- who will be the first to build a space hotel? One company has gathered 3 billion dollars to do just that. Find out what life in a luxury space hotel might be like.

By Jacob Silverman

On Earth, we have a constant supply of fresh air. But what happens in the tiny, confined cabins of spacecraft, like the space shuttle or space stations? How is oxygen supplied to the people on board?

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

In the confined cabins of spacecraft, like the space shuttle or space stations, carbon dioxide, which is toxic, poses a problem for astronauts. Keep reading to see how that CO2 is eliminated.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

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Why should space agencies and private companies get to have all the fun of making and launching true spacecraft, or those that cross the Karman line? Can't the rest of us seize a little cosmic glory, too?

By Robert Lamb

Humans in space may age just a bit more slowly than the rest of us, but they also experience rapid muscle and bone mass loss. Why does this happen, and do astronauts recover?

By Jessika Toothman

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Journey into the past as the astronauts of the Apollo 7 mission tell us for sure.

By John Perritano

When nature calls, you have to listen. But when you're in microgravity, going to the bathroom can be a major challenge. How do astronauts get the job done?

By Stephanie Watson

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Blasting a spacecraft into space is one thing. Bringing it back in one piece is another. Spacecraft are likely to burn up into bits if they aren't specially insulated and designed for the ride.

By Jane McGrath

Since the Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990, it has been plagued with problems that require frequent repairs. How does NASA fix it?

By Jonathan Strickland

This video camera hitches a ride on the space shuttle to provide ground control with a bird's eye view of the launch. How could RocketCam have prevented the Columbia space shuttle tragedy?

By Jane McGrath

If the future of tourism lies in outer space, then we'll need to blast off those amateur astronauts from somewhere. Compared to the average airport, how space-age will these spaceports be?

By Cristen Conger

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Believe it or not, to get to space and back, NASA relies on a piece of technology that's been around for centuries. Just what is a gimbal, anyway?

By Jonathan Strickland

These outer space abodes will have to protect inhabitants from extreme temperatures, radiation and flying moon dust. One man is actually selling deeds for lunar property at $20 a pop. Seriously?

By Cristen Conger

This passive-aggressive peacetime contest between the USSR and the U.S. unofficially ended with the U.S. moon landing. But the Soviets also touted a long list of space race accomplishments. Who won?

By Cristen Conger

Kids from around the world flock to Huntsville, Ala., to attend Space Camp. What's so appealing about science class in the summer, and can a 40-year-old go to camp?

By Julia Layton

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When astronauts talk moonwalking, they don't mean the Michael Jackson dance move. Spacewalks take an entire day of preparation -- and a 240-pound space suit.

By John Fuller

There's no livestock in space farming, but growing plants in space could allow for long-term exploration and settlements. And with this farm, you don't need to watch where you step.

By Jessika Toothman

Maybe Schwarzenegger had it right when he talked about the importance of pumping iron. Astronauts spend as long as four hours a day exercising. But why?

By John Fuller

The space race between the United States and the former Soviet Union began in the early 1950s. What followed was an era of cooperation between the United States, and now Russian, space programs with the building and operation of the International Space Station.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

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How do you eat when you're in a low-gravity environment? Space programs have come up ingenious contraptions and packaging methods to make astronauts' meal times as normal as possible.

By Stephanie Watson

If you had the money, would you pay $200,000 to launch into space? For at least one couple, the answer is yes. But is a space tour safe for the average citizen?

By John Fuller