MARCIA DUNN | The Seattle Times

FILE – In this Wednesday, April 21, 2021 file photo, former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, nominee for administrator of NASA, speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In his first news interview since becoming NASA’s top official this week, Nelson told The Associated Press on Friday, May 7 that measuring the climate and diversifying the workforce are top issues. Nelson hedged on whether the U.S. can put astronauts on the moon by 2024. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP) NY749 NY749

May 7, 2021 at 1:24 pm

AP Interview: NASA chief big on climate, hedges on moon date

In his first interview since becoming NASA’s leader this week, Bill Nelson said tracking climate change is a top issue. He wants to diversify the... Updated 3:48 pm

This Thursday, April 29, 2021 image from video made available by NASA shows the Mars Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of the planet. The 4-pound aircraft was supposed to lift off Thursday on its longest, fastest flight yet. But the chopper remained on the ground. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS via AP) NY664 NY664

May 7, 2021 at 10:25 am

NASA Mars helicopter heard humming through thin Martian air WATCH

NASA is sharing sounds of its little helicopter humming through the thin Martian air. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California released a first-ever audio Friday,... Updated 3:37 pm

In this image from video made available by SpaceX, a Starship test vehicle descends during a flight test in Boca Chica, Texas on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (SpaceX via AP) NY753 NY753

May 5, 2021 at 4:46 pm

SpaceX launches, lands Starship in 1st successful flight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX launched and successfully landed its futuristic Starship on Wednesday, finally nailing a test flight of the rocketship that Elon... Updated 3:37 pm

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FILE–Astronaut Alan Shepard poses in the Mercury space craft at Cape Canaveral in 1961. Shepard, the first American to fly in space and one of only 12 Americans to walk on the moon. (AP Photo/File)

May 4, 2021 at 10:11 pm

60 years since 1st American in space: Tourists lining up VIEW

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is opening ticket sales for short space hops from Texas launched by a rocket named New Shepard. Details expected Wednesday, the...

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May 1, 2021 at 11:57 pm

SpaceX returns 4 astronauts to Earth; rare night splashdown VIEW

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX safely returned four astronauts from the International Space Station on Sunday, making the first U.S. crew splashdown in darkness...

May 1, 2021 at 5:53 pm

SpaceX capsule departs station with 4 astronauts, heads home

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts departed the International Space Station late Saturday, aiming for a rare nighttime splashdown to...

April 30, 2021 at 1:23 pm

SpaceX making 1st US crew splashdown in dark since Apollo 8

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX this weekend will attempt the first U.S. splashdown of returning astronauts in darkness since the Apollo 8 moonshot in...

April 30, 2021 at 10:46 am

Mars helicopter aces 4th flight, gets extra month of flying

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s little Mars helicopter has gotten a reprieve. Instead of wrapping up flight tests at the beginning of May, NASA...

April 29, 2021 at 2:04 pm

4th flight fizzles for NASA’s Mars helicopter, retry Friday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s Mars helicopter fizzled Thursday on its fourth flight attempt. The 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) helicopter named Ingenuity was supposed to lift...

April 26, 2021 at 11:53 am

More patrols, fewer boaters for SpaceX splashdown Saturday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The astronauts flying SpaceX back to Earth this weekend urged boaters to stay safe by staying away from their capsule's...