During wind tunnel tests earlier this week, NASA subjected a full-scale mockup of a shuttle external tank section to aerodynamic forces greater than a real tank would experience during launch. In one series of tests, unmodified foam insulation used to prevent ice buildups around external fittings suffered only minor damage while a redesigned "ice/frost ramp" suffered major foam loss.

What a mess...

Tank foam lost during shuttle wind tunnel test

The U.S. Air Force would be able to launch satellites or deliver special purpose payloads in as little as 48 hours using a new, rapid-turnaround launch system proposed by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The new concept, called a Hybrid Launch Vehicle (HLV), would also reduce launch costs by approximately two-thirds compared to the cost of using a medium evolved expendable launch vehicle.

Northrop Grumman Proposes Space Missions to Go ... in 48 Hours or Less | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

However, at T 25s, a fuel leak of currently unknown origin caused a fire around the top of the main engine that cut into the first stage helium pneumatic system. On high resolution imagery, the fire is clearly visible within seconds after liftoff. Once the pneumatic pressure decayed below a critical value, the spring return safety function of the pre-valves forced them closed, shutting down the main engine at T 29s.

Preliminary SpaceX Internal Analysis: Falcon I Flight

After years of development and no less than three scrubbed attempts, a solitary rocket Falcon 1 rocket roared toward space Friday only to be lost just after liftoff, its builders said.

SpaceX's Inaugural Falcon 1 Rocket Lost Just After Launch

Space Exploration Technologies Inc. - Better known as SpaceX - is developing its own manned spacecraft. Indeed, they've been at this for several years. Its name is "Dragon."

The SpaceX Dragon: America's First Privately Financed Manned Orbital Spacecraft? | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

NASA and its partner agencies have set a new plan to complete the International Space Station (ISS) by 2010, delaying science utilization to make way for 16 shuttle flights to piece together the orbital laboratory.

NASA, Partners Set Space Station Construction Plan

NASA Voyager Operations Status Report #2006-01-06, Week Ending January 13, 2006

NASA Voyager Operations Status Report #2006-01-06, Week Ending January 13, 2006 | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

NASA is preparing to launch an oxygen generation system to the International Space Station. The system uses water to generate breathable oxygen for crew members. Life support systems like this are necessary to support future long-duration missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

NASA Preparing Oxygen Generation System for Space Station

In what might resemble a horrifying moment in a science fiction film, astronauts aboard the International Space Station will toss an empty spacesuit overboard next week.

The Russian suit will carry three batteries and a ham radio transmitter and antenna. Amateur radio operators on Earth will be able to listen to its transmissions over several days until the batteries fail.

An Orbiting Spacesuit With Transmitter

NASA launched the first space mission to Pluto [Thursday] as a powerful rocket hurled the New Horizons spacecraft on a nine-year, three-billion-mile journey to the edge of the solar system.

NASA Launches Spacecraft on the First Mission to Pluto