NASA is getting a new space plane.

[Swampy]

The Dream Chaser, built by Sierra Nevada Corporation, will undergo testing before it's put into use. Like the space shuttle, it is a reusable craft that would be put on top of a giant rocket, which would shoot it into orbit, and it would return like a glider.

I'm glad to see NASA finally getting its legs back.

[mcnoch]

This is not a NASA operated spacecraft, it is a private endeavor, supported scientifically and partly financed by NASA. So there is another, American transport system the NASA can use in the future. That is good, because it is never good to rely only on one source.

[Swampy]

Good point. And the final frontier may become a viable economic sector over the next decade.

[Swampy]

NASA still depends on Russia for space transportation, but it wants its own space lift capability.

NASA is trying to speed up private American companies' efforts to launch crews into orbit, but it needs extra funding.

Of course, it needs more money - which government agency doesn't? Sigh.

[Swampy]

NASA is breaking off relations with Russia over Crimea, which is nice, but how're our astronauts going to get to the space station? They better get that Dream Chaser operational fast.