Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week – Dec. 22, 2013

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In Memoriam: Spacecraft We Loved and Lost in 2013

NASA.

In 2013, some spacecraft never made it into orbit, others completed their full missions before quietly turning off while still more had their time in space cut short. No matter the cause of death, we at SPACE.com wish to honor the spacecraft we lost this year.

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NEXT: Talking Japanese Robot Has First Chat with Astronaut in Space

Talking Japanese Robot Has First Chat with Astronaut in Space

YouTube, Kibo Robot Project

In a milestone for robot-human relations, the talking Japanese robot Kirobo had its first conversation with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

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NEXT: NASA Asteroid-Hunting Probe Takes First Photos in 2.5 Years

NASA Asteroid-Hunting Probe Takes First Photos in 2.5 Years

NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA's asteroid-hunting NEOWISE spacecraft has opened its eyes in preparation for a new mission, beaming home its first photos since waking from a 2.5-year-long hibernation.

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.