"This is sort of new territory we were in," said NASA Low Density Supersonic Decelerator engineer Dan Coatta. "Our test goals were to inflate the balloon, launch, get up to altitude successfully, drop off the balloon, have the rocket motor fire and get up to speed."

But will they webcast it?

The U. S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility has cleared launch attempts for June 28, 29 and 30, July 1 and 3.

U.S. voters will determine spaceflight future in 2016

International Space Station partners are beginning to discuss expanding use of the orbital outpost to test “extensible” technology for the long trek to the surface of Mars, with a new pressurized module and year-long tours for as many as a dozen crew members among the topics under consideration.

European joint venture could scrap solid-fueled Ariane 6 design and give Germany larger role

NanoRacks and Astrium North America are preparing to deploy a $5 million privately funded accommodation for commercial payloads outside the International Space Station, as the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (Casis) continues its effort to promote commercial activities on the orbiting laboratory.

"When you are exploring another planet, you expect surprises," notes Jim Erickson, NASA's Curiosity project manager.