Space

Rocket Explosion Comes At A Tough Time For NASA

Investigators spent the day at a NASA launch facility in Virginia trying to understand why a private cargo rocket exploded moments after liftoff. There were no injuries but the accident is a setback for the company, Orbital Sciences, and NASA. NASA is relying on private contractors to help ferry supplies to the International Space Station. The accident also changed the discussions happening at an annual space convention being held this week in Huntsville, Ala.

'Freakish' Sunspot Wows Astronomers

AR 2192, the largest sunspot seen since the beginning of the current 11-year cycle that started in 2008, is producing strong solar flares.