Beijing is fostering the growth of China’s commercial space industry in a bid to narrow a space-race gap with the U.S.

Witnesses reported a stunning spiral in the night sky, likely a result of a SpaceX rocket's fuel, reminiscent of a similar event in Norway in 2009.

Isaacman has a contract worth tens of millions of dollars, or more, with Elon Musk ’s spaceflight and satellite company, SpaceX. Isaacman, a pilot and commercial astronaut, has traveled to space twice on SpaceX spacecraft. The Senate Commerce Committee has not yet scheduled a hearing on Isaacman’s nomination.