Winged cargo ship saves three tonnes of fuel per day on first voyage

An age of greener, more efficient shipping may be in the offing as a specially modified 43,000-tonne bulk freighter completes a six-month sea trial using a combination of diesel engines and a set of high-tech automatic sails to catch the wind.Continue … Continue reading Winged cargo ship saves three tonnes of fuel per day on first voyage

Starship successfully makes orbit – but the FAA has grounded it anyway

Third time’s the charm! SpaceX’s Starship roared into orbit today from the company’s Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas. Larger and more powerful than the venerable Saturn V, the giant rocket lifted off into the history books at 8:25 am CDT.Continue Readi… Continue reading Starship successfully makes orbit – but the FAA has grounded it anyway

Video: Hypersonic rotating detonation engine in sustained test burn

A revolutionary alternative to conventional rockets that uses controlled explosions has completed its first long-duration engine test as part of Venus Aerospace’s partnership with DARPA to develop a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE).Continue Rea… Continue reading Video: Hypersonic rotating detonation engine in sustained test burn

Declassified video shows DragonFire laser weapon in action

In a newly declassified video, the UK’s £100 million (US$127 million) DragonFire laser weapon can be seen going through its paces as it blasted test bench and field targets, including drones and mortar rounds.Continue ReadingCategory: Military, Technol… Continue reading Declassified video shows DragonFire laser weapon in action

Juno probe tweaks the odds for life on Europa

Data from NASA’s Juno Jupiter orbiter suggests that the Jovian moon Europa produces about 26 lb/s (12 kg/s) of oxygen or almost 100 times less than previously estimated This changes the probability of life being found in the moon’s subterranean ocean.C… Continue reading Juno probe tweaks the odds for life on Europa

Maiden flight for the XQ-67A Loyal Wingman – the drone built like a car

The US Air Force’s XQ-67A Loyal Wingman combat drone has taken to the air for the first time. Built by General Atomics using automotive design techniques, it promises to be a cheaper, more flexible alternative to other UAVs.Continue ReadingCategory: Mi… Continue reading Maiden flight for the XQ-67A Loyal Wingman – the drone built like a car