SCIENCE IN THE NEWS DAILY

NASA Puts New Rocket on Launch Pad for Test Flight

from the San Diego Union-Tribune

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Associated Press) -- NASA's lofty new rocket arrived at the launching pad Tuesday for a test flight next week that comes at a time when the future of the country's spaceflight program is up in the air.

It's the first time in 34 years that a rocket other than the space shuttle has stood at Launch Pad 39-B. NASA modified the pad for this rocket, which is supposed to eventually carry astronauts to the moon.

But the White House may scrap those plans. A panel of aerospace experts that provided President Barack Obama with a list of possible exploration options is issuing its final report later this week.