SpaceX is celebrating the first successful touchdown on land of an orbital-class booster, the first step toward a potential paradigm shift in easing human access to space.

Smaller, more capable satellites enter satcom market as U.S. military demand for new spacecraft stalls.

In the next 10 years, as major spacefaring nations renew their fleets, the space-launch sector will be molded by the growing popularity of small satellites, increasing commercialization of space transportation, reusable launch vehicles and manned space programs.

Space agencies around the world will spend 2016 doing the spade work for deep-space missions later on.

Government and A&D contractors need to reach out to entrepreneurs, take more risks, be more creative.

Expanded Tables Online Download expanded specifications on in-production and under-development launch vehicles and search more than 3,100 other systems at AviationWeek.com/specs

Success in recovering the Falcon 9 first stage marks a major step toward the long-sought dream of reusable commercial space launchers.

Saab ships laminar wing Section as Airbus A340-300 moves toward 2017 flight tests; NASA fires 3-D-sprinted rocket motor; Clean Sky tests of advanced business-jet design; Sea-Tac RFP for biofuel study; U.K. pushes out R&D commitment to 2026.