SpaceX, Sierra Nevada move the needle on reusable-spacecraft technology that could give the orbital economy a shot in the arm.

From NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services-2 award to the Dream Chaser spaceplane, to Space-X’s recent near miss landing in Vandenberg, California, the field of reusable space systems is expanding. Join our editors as they discuss developments and competition in the burgeoning commercial and defense space launch markets.

After years of sole-source launch contracts for the United Launch Alliance, the U.S. Air Force may soon have many options to choose from.

NASA and the Energy Department designate a "planetary defense officer" to coordinate efforts to find and deal with dangerous asteroids.

The European Data Relay System (EDRS) is a new space and ground infrastructure that will provide near-real-time data delivery services of up to 50 terrabytes per day using laser technology.

Sierra Nevada Corp. will join incumbents Orbital ATK and SpaceX.

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft is now within 240 mi. of the dwarf planet Ceres and will remain there indefinitely. Images collected at that altitude reveal similarities with Earth’s Moon and unique features that highlight the wondrous variety of our Solar System.

Ahead of new budget talks in late 2016, German Aerospace Center DLR and the European Space Agency are evaluating the cost of continuing support for the International Space Station beyond 2020, even as the other four space station partners pledge to fund the orbiting science lab to 2024.