This past year saw several spectacular successes in the field of aerospace and space exploration, including the launch of NASA's first new spacecraft intended for human spaceflight in 40 years. But there were some challenges as well, particularly in the private sector. Orbital lost a resupply spacecraft bound for the International Space Station, and the space tourism industry was dealt a setback with the accident involving SpaceShipTwo. Here are many of the stories that made headlines in the aerospace industry over the past year.

Spacex Successfully Launches THAICOM 6 Satellite To Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully launched the THAICOM 6 satellite for leading Asian satellite operator THAICOM. Falcon 9 delivered THAICOM 6 to its targeted 295 x 90,000 km geosynchronous transfer orbit at 22.5 degrees inclination. The Falcon 9 launch vehicle performed as expected, meeting 100% of mission objectives.

US Commitment To ISS Extended Until At Least 2024

As more than 30 heads of space agencies from around the world prepare to gather in Washington January 9-10 for an unprecedented summit on the future of space exploration, the White House issued a news release saying that the Obama Administration has approved an extension of the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2024. "We are hopeful and optimistic that our ISS partners will join this extension effort and thus enable continuation of the groundbreaking research being conducted in this unique orbiting laboratory for at least another decade," the release stated.

Cygnus Heads To Space For First Station Resupply Mission

NASA commercial partner Orbital Sciences Corporation launched its Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard the Antares rocket at 1307 EST Thursday from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia for the Orbital-1 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. At the time of launch the station was flying about 260 miles over the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Brazil

Virgin Galactic Reaches New Heights In Third Supersonic Test Flight

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Aero-News 2014 Year-In-Review: Aerospace