In a radical redirection of America's space programme, Barack Obama has abandoned the $100 billion (£63 billion) moon project, instead turning over transportation to commercial companies. His proposals, which will see the US concentrate its efforts on research and technology, must be approved by Congress and some politicians, particularly those whose constituents benefited from Nasa spending, have promised to fight them. Read more
A half century ago the Mercury Seven embodied America's space future. Now it's the merchant seven - space companies for hire. Mimicking a scene 51 years ago when the Mercury astronauts were revealed, NASA's boss beamed Tuesday as he introduced the "faces of a new frontier:" representatives of the seven companies that NASA is funding to develop future private spacecraft. Read more