1.   Even when the idea of Martians seemed moribund, scientists could not resist using their new-found rocket power to send spacecraft toward the planet.

2.   NASA shot planetary probes past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, even as the Soviets had trouble sending spacecraft to such nearby worlds as Mars.

3.   Officials of the manufacturer, Hughes Electronics Corp., said the mission would be the first time a private company had sent a spacecraft to the Moon.

4.   Several spacecraft could be sent from Earth to scout nearby stars.

5.   The maneuver, like a gravity-powered slingshot, sent the spacecraft on its way to Eros while requiring no additional fuel.

6.   Because of the alignment of the planets, this is the first opportunity in two years to send a spacecraft to Mars.

7.   Failure could have sent the spacecraft hurtling past the planet.

8.   NASA will try to snap its losing streak and send another spacecraft to Mars on Saturday after two humiliating failures.

9.   NASA on Monday delayed the launch of the shuttle Atlantis for at least three weeks, sending the spacecraft back to the hangar for additional booster inspections.