NASA's LLCD tests confirm laser communication capabilities in space

NASA's LLCD tests confirm laser communication capabilities in space
Gizmag, 26 December 2013
http://www.gizmag.com/llcd-results-ladee-space-laser-communications/30230/

This week, NASA released the results of its Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration’s (LLCD) 30-day test carried out by its Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) that is currently in orbit around the Moon. According to the space agency, the LLCD mission proved that laser communications are practical at a distance of a quarter of a million miles and that such a system could perform as well, if not better, than any NASA radio system.

Boxy CubeSats get a propulsion boost in new space race

Boxy CubeSats get a propulsion boost in new space race
New Scientist, 2 December 2013
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24679-boxy-cubesats-get-a-propulsion-boost-in-new-space-race.html

Instead, Lozano and his colleagues will propel their craft with an unusual substance called an ionic liquid, made solely of positively or negatively charged ions. In the engine, a reservoir of ionic liquid soaks into a porous, metal chip and forms tiny pools in the pores of spikes on its surface. When a small electric field is applied, these pools morph into cones, which amplify the electric field so that it is strong enough to pull away ions in a steady beam (see below).

How One Might Metal Spin a Nozzle
Youtube, 23 December 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekicY_oNE7I

This video shows a skilled metal spinner making a fan inlet cone. The skills appear similar to me to be those used in metal spinning a rocket nozzle and throat. In any case, it demonstrates good skill and careful construction of a nozzle-like structure.

Planetlabs Shows what Small Spacecraft can do

Planet Labs Shows what Small Spacecraft can do
Planetlabs, 29 November 2013
Planet Labs

Planet Labs provides universal access to information about the changing planet. We will operate the world’s largest fleet of Earth imaging satellites to frequently image the entire planet and provide open access to that information.

Check out their fleet of 28 small imaging satellites
Here's one with solar panels extended

Silicon Valley Goes to Space

Silicon Valley Goes to Space
KQED, 18 November 2013
http://blogs.kqed.org/science/video/silicon-valley-goes-to-space/

But now, in the age of cutbacks and federal furloughs, NASA is turning to the private sector to more cheaply get to Low Earth Orbit, a region roughly 100 to 600 miles above earth where the International Space Station is located. From space tourism to plans to mine the moon, dozens of for-profit companies, many with the business models, characters and the high-tech, risk-taking culture of Silicon Valley, are reshaping American space exploration.

NASA Shoots Lasers at the Moon to Create Insanely Fast Internet

NASA Shoots Lasers at the Moon to Create Insanely Fast Internet
Wired, 23 October 2013
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/10/nasa-internet-laser/

Aboard LADEE is the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD), which achieved super-fast download speeds of 622 megabits per second (Mbps) and an upload rate of 20 Mbps. In comparison, the internet at WIRED’s office in San Francisco gets download rates of 75 Mbps and uploads at 50 Mbps. NASA’s typical communications with the moon are about five times slower than what LLCD provided.

SpaceX Experiments with Restarting Engines on First Stage Descent

Spacex shows pictures of the re-ignition of the rocket engine over the ocean which was a step towards reusable rockets
NextBigFuture, 17 October 2013
http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/10/spacex-shows-pictures-of-re-ignition-of.html

Though not a primary mission objective, SpaceX was also able to initiate two engine relights on the first stage. For the first restart burn, we lit three engines to do a supersonic retro propulsion, which we believe may be the first attempt by any rocket stage. The first restart burn was completed well and enabled the stage to survive reentering the atmosphere in a controlled fashion.