WIRED Staff
Science

Slideshow: NASA Launches Startups for Ships

As the space shuttle fleet struggles to overcome technical problems and a possible replacement remains on the drawing board, NASA turns to small companies for new ideas in space travel. By Michael Belfiore.
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TSpace's proposed Crew Transfer Vehicle approaches the International Space Station in this artist's rendering.Courtesy of Transformational Space

See related story: NASA Launches Startups for Ships

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A mockup of tSpace's proposed space capsule drops from a helicopter Aug. 3 near Crescent City, California.

Courtesy of Transformational Space
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A full-scale mockup of tSpace's proposed space capsule successfully demonstrated water-landing techniques Aug. 3 even though one parachute failed to deploy fully.

Courtesy of Transformational Space