We round up five of our most read stories in August, and your reaction to them.

Republican lawmakers have questioned whether SpaceX is receiving special treatment in NASA’s oversight of the two commercial launch providers, but NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says that is not the case.

The top aerospace and defense stories you may have missed this week include Airbus starts A350-1000 wing assembly and Lockheed Martin studies 'stealthy' U-2 replacement.

Researchers from eight U.S. universities will pursue early stage advances in support of NASA space program technology needs that range from high temperature tolerant solar cells and enhanced thermal protection systems to food production.

The agency this week is issuing three concept development contracts for the new Multiple Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program, one each to Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing.

NASA specialists recently signaled the all clear for nibbling.

While it sizes up high-value landing site candidates for its next Mars rover, NASA is developing strategies for protecting dozens of potential rock and soil samples cached on the red planet for harvest and return to Earth at some time in the future.

This week's top aerospace and defense news you need to know.