Virgin Galactic makes first manned flight

Virgin Galactic has taken another important step to becoming the world's first private commercial spaceline with its VSS Enterprise spacecraft flying with a crew on board for the first time, says Gizmag.

The craft formerly known as SpaceShipTwo remained attached to VMS Eve, the jet-powered carrier aircraft from which the VSS Enterprise will eventually be launched, for the duration of the flight to allow for numerous combined vehicle systems tests to be conducted.

During the flight, which lasted six hours and 12 minutes on 15 July, the two crew members aboard the VSS Enterprise evaluated all of the spaceship's systems and functions from end to end. All objectives of the flight were met.

Scientists in the UK have developed technology that allows power to be transmitted wirelessly through several inches of steel, reports BBC News.

The developers, at BAE Systems, say the device could be used to send power and communications signals through submarine hulls or armoured doors.

The device uses very high frequency acoustics - essentially converting the signal into sound waves. The company has started environmental tests on the technology.

To serve a world bent on gaining autonomous power for wireless sensors, MicroGen Systems and Cornell University's Energy Materials Centre have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop 'self-charging' batteries - that use background shaking and stirring for their energy source, states Reliable Plant.

The battery will look like a microchip, but with a vibrating core, and it will harness energy from almost anything that shakes.

Applications for the self-charging batteries include smart energy systems for industrial equipment, lighting control, infrastructure applications for monitoring the structural integrity of bridges and roads, and energy for monitoring onboard vehicle systems.