SpaceX rocket failure raises questions about space station's vital supplies

NASA prides itself on preparing for the worst, but three rocket explosions in eight months are testing the agency's backup plans. Sunday's explosion of a SpaceX rocket, bound for the International Space Station, followed the fiery end of an Orbital Sciences launch in October and the failure of a Russian resupply vessel in April. As both American companies remain grounded during ongoing investigations, questions are now being raised about how long NASA can keep the scientific researchers at the space station. NASA officials remain confident that the crew has adequate food and water until the end of October, but the agency offered a less rosy outlook even before the last two failures. More

(Source: Los Angeles Times - Jul 1)