First Orion spacecraft begins testing

First Orion spacecraft begins testing: "The first Orion crew module has begun testing at Lockheed Martin's Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC) in Denver, Colorado. This 41,000 square foot research facility will test the ability of NASA's next-gen multipurpose exploration spacecraft to safely fly astronauts through the severe environments of deep space. Orion will be phased in as the sun sets on the Space Shuttle Program with the first orbital flight test planned for 2013 and first crewed mission by 2016."

BMW teams with Sixt for world’s first “premium” car sharing service

BMW teams with Sixt for world’s first “premium” car sharing service: "With much of the traffic clogging city roads made up of vehicles that carry a single occupant to work, sit idle for the day (usually attracting inflated parking fees) and then return home, driving in urban areas is a headache that just keeps getting worse."

earTones earphones feature Microban antimicrobial protection

earTones earphones feature Microban antimicrobial protection: "While the sound quality of over-the-ear headphones is generally much better than a set of earbuds, the convenience of using earbuds while on the go can't be denied. Many earbuds are fairly similar feature-wise, so the deciding factors for most people will usually be sound quality and price."

Home-built solar electric scooter fits in a suitcase

Home-built solar electric scooter fits in a suitcase: "Three years ago, Terry Hope was working as an engineer on a Canadian schooner. He wanted to take along an electric scooter, but was told by the captain that he couldn't bring aboard anything that couldn't fit in a suitcase. His response, naturally, was to set about designing an electric scooter that could fit inside a suitcase."

Scientists use bacteria to create fuel from sunlight and CO2

Scientists use bacteria to create fuel from sunlight and CO2: "Researchers from the University of Minnesota have announced a breakthrough in the quest to create a viable fuel alternative using greenhouse gases. The process uses two types of bacteria to create hydrocarbons from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Those hydrocarbons can in turn be made into fuel, which the scientists are calling 'renewable petroleum.'"