As big as a car and as well-equipped as a laboratory, Nasa's newest Mars rover blows away its predecessors in size and skill. Nicknamed Curiosity and scheduled for launch on Saturday, the rover has a 7-foot arm tipped with a jackhammer and a laser to break through the Martian red rock.

A multimillionaire’s test rocket blasted off on its maiden voyage and successfully reached orbit in a dry run for Nasa’s push to go commercial.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket achieved earth orbit nine minutes into the flight as planned, drawing praise from Nasa, the White House and others eager for the company to s