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The article reports that European space managers can now turn their attention to a wide range of programs waiting in the wings, following the successful February 12 launch of the Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift booster. The rocket had cast a shadow over Europe's space program ever since a nozzle malfunction on the new Vulcain 2 main engine wiped out the initial flight in December 2002. The mishap pushed aside new programs as space leaders focused on redesigning the nozzle, revamping the Ariane 5 development and production setup, and providing a support lifeline to the beleaguered launch industry. The recovery plan cost some 550 million euros and the launch support plan, another 1 billion euros.

The article reports on the preparation of the company Space Exploration Technologies (Space X) for the final integration and flight testing of its first Falcon 9 launch vehicle in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (AFS) in Florida following the second stage's orbit-insertion firing tests in McGregor, Texas. The orbit-insertion firings made by Space X included a flight-expansion nozzle for the second-stage engine. The Dragon spacecraft will be used for the flight of Falcon 9. The pneumatic separation system of Falcon 9 underwent verification tests.

The article reports on the changes made by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the propulsion system design of its Ares I crew launch vehicle, as the agency copes with cost, weight and performance concerns. Cost and weight issues with composites have forced the agency back to a metal nozzle for the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) J-2X rocket engine that will power the Ares I crew launch vehicle. Steve Creech, Ares V integration manager, says NASA's goal is a nine-ton margin.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Falcon Fix-It List" in the June 25, 2007 issue and "N.Y.'s Delay Donnybrook" and "ATA Slams Bizjets" in the July 30, 2007 issue.