As Senior Space Editor Frank Morring says, companies are looking for "pots of gold" in space. That gold could come from commercial efforts that would extend the life of the International Space Station or to mine water from the Moon. Civilian space agencies might benefit as well—working with each other to reach the Moon and ultimately charting a path to Mars. Frank joins Mark Carreau and Jen DiMascio at the annual space symposium in Colorado Springs and discuss the latest efforts to explore—and profit from—outer space.

Lockheed Martin is one of seven U.S. companies building deep-space habitat concepts. Mark Carreau and Jen DiMascio toured the company's mock-up at its Littleton, Colorado facility.

There was plenty of media coverage of the Feb. 1, 2003, loss of space shuttle Columbia, which broke apart over Texas as it reentered the atmosphere, killing its crew of seven. But Aviation Week set itself apart with its in-depth, team analysis of the accident.

Aviation Week has been there at every opportunity to explore space, the final frontier. Here is a collection of anniversary dates from the Aprils of many a year gone by where discoveries and technologies have been charted.

Deploying “ChipSats” could significantly alter the face of missions to seek signs of life on Jovian moon Europa—and other planetary research.

Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) is proposing legislation to tackle a broad range of space issues, foremost is ending the use of the Defense Department to manage space traffic.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman vie for the next-generation satellite work.

Covering planetary exploration in detail has been a special draw for Aviation Week reporters and readers for decades. Missions to Mars have always had a special allure. Check out some of the highlights from the 1960s to today as we celebrate our 100th anniversary.