New Lunar Landers

ARCA is one of the teams competing for the Google Lunar X Prize. ARCA is a Romanian team that is set to launch a satellite for Bulgaria sometime in 2013 using their HAAS 2 single stage rocket, the same rocket they will use to launch their lunar explorer. There are currently 25 teams competing for the Lunar X Prize, six of whom are American. Most of the teams have made enough progress to still be in the running, but the clock is ticking and although no team has set a solid launch date (that I am aware of) several are touting launches within the next few years. My current favorite lander design, although admittedly mostly for its unique look, is the Chilean team's named: Dandelion.

Dandelion

Wikipedia -European Lunar Explorer

Google X prize teams - ARCA

ARCA Lunar Lander site

Speeder Bike Not Retail Ready

A California company called Aerofex is testing a manned hoverbike using an innovative mechanical design to maintain balance control; something previously believed only possible with expensive electronics. The dual rotor vehicle is, unfortunately, only a test bed for the company's planned helicopter drone. Nonetheless, this gives me hope that I may be able to replace my motorcycle with a hoverbike someday.

Full Story at Innovation News
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Mars Curiosity Touches Down

Just a quick update in case anyone has fallen behind on the going's on within our home solar system:

The rover 'Mars Curiosity' successfully touched down Sunday and will begin it's survey. Touted as a fully equipped laboratory on wheels the Curiosity weighs in a roughly one ton. Curiosity will soon begin its two year mission to climb the slope of Mt. Sharp (Image via NASA) while taking and testing rock samples along the way. The rover will begin taking radiation measurements and photos of Mars today, NASA also has a rigorous array of systems checks to do as well.

Image of Curiosity's descent from NASA

reuters.com - Mars Rover Miracle of Engineering

Book Two: Update

Yesterday I finished my second draft/second edit of The Black Chronicles: Book Two. I am giving the manuscript to my sister for a continuity critique and then it will come back to my wife for a technical/creative check. I will begin looking for a publisher shortly. I will release the title name of Book Two when I have settled on one of the two titles I have in mind. I have already started Book Three and am continually writing notes for Four and Five. All that to say I have no intention of giving up on this whole writing endeavor anytime in the near or distant future.
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read Europa for giving me, a new author, a chance. I appreciate your patience while waiting for the second book. The feedback I get from everyone has been very encouraging and I would like to request all who have enjoyed reading Europa to write a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.(reviews help a lot!).

J.S.