Space shuttle Atlantis returns to Earth

Space Shuttle Atlantis was the fourth operational shuttle built and is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet. Space Shuttle Atlantis is named after the two-masted boat that served as the primary research vessel for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts from 1930 to 1966. Orbiter Vehicle Designation is OV-104.

In June 1995, STS-71 performed the first Space Shuttle docking with Russia's Mir Space Station. This mission was very important historically because it was the 100th manned space launch by the United States, the first ever on-orbit change out of Shuttle crew members and the docking created the largest spacecraft ever placed into orbit at that time.

Atlantis pioneered the Shuttle-Mir missions, flying the first seven missions to dock with the Russian space station. When linked, Atlantis and Mir together formed the largest spacecraft in orbit at the time. The missions to Mir included the first on-orbit U.S. crew exchanges, now a common occurrence on the International Space Station. On STS-79, the fourth docking mission, Atlantis ferried astronaut Shannon Lucid back to Earth after her record-setting 188 days in orbit aboard Mir.

Rover Lunar For Exploration New Tech Here On Earth

In the year 2020, NASA will be back on the moon. This time NASA will explore thousands of miles of the moon’s surface with individual missions lasting six months or longer. Just as we did during the Apollo program, NASA will be developing new concepts and technologies – concepts and technologies that will also benefit life on Earth.

The Chariot lunar rover is a large, six wheel drive vehicle with active suspension and computerized navigation. It has a totally enclosed, pressurized cabin where the astronauts can ride in shirt sleeved comfort. It has a range of 62 miles and can operate independently for two weeks at a time. The pressurized cabin comes with beds, a pantry, a waste-management system, and a pair of space suits.

According to National Geographic, "...the Chariot has a longer wheelbase and is outfitted with the same automatic stability control used to keep today's sport-utility vehicles from rolling over. Steering is controlled by a computerized navigation system, and all six wheels can turn in any direction or be individually lifted for greater maneuverability. The craft also has two gears—first gear tops out at 3 miles (5 kilometers) an hour, while second gear can safely reach 12 miles (20 kilometers) an hour. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow the craft to venture up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) and back before needing a pit stop at a solar-power station.

Tree Spade and Transporter

Tree spades are used in various ways throughout the green industry. Commercial nurseries use tree spades to lift large, field-grown trees out of the soil, and wrap the root ball in burlap and twine (termed "ball and burlap" or B&B) for retail sale or compact storage. Landscape companies and arborists use spades to plant large trees that are nursery-grown or have been moved from elsewhere in the landscape. Landscape professionals use a tree spade to create an "instant landscape" by digging and transplanting large trees from one location to another.

Homeowners can also use spades to locate trees on residential sites. Trailer-mounted spades that can hold a soil ball up to 44 inches in diameter are available at some rental centers. However, due to safety issues, and the complexity of the equipment and processes involved, it is strongly recommended that individuals hire an experienced contractor specializing in tree spading to transplant trees.

Proper placement of trees is important to the design and sustainability of the landscape. It is important to select a location where the tree will not grow to interfere with structures, power lines, snow removal, roof lines, windows and other existing plants. The species of tree selected for a site will depend on space requirements, existing plants and structures, seasonal interest desired and the function the tree will serve in the landscape.

Concept Trucks by Luigi Colani

This so called ‘Space Truck’ by famous German industry-design star Luigi Colani uses 30% less fuel than comparable trucks."Luigi Colani is a legendary Swiss-German industrial designer, whose concepts have rounded, organic forms, which he claims are ergonomically superior to traditional designs."

The online newspaper News.ch, with their column ‘Green Investment’, has enabled to present this vehicle to a wider audience in Switzerland. The truck is currently touring through various Swiss cities such as Lucerne, Berne and Basle. With the support of climate projects such as myclimate, SuisseEMEX and Green Village, the Mercedes Benz Actros truck will drive CO2-neutral.

Colani develops streamlined trucks since the fifties. His goal: Saving fuel consumption through a flowing streamlined shape of the vehicles. The German controlling agency TÜV verified in 2005 that Colani’s truck uses 30% less fuel than a conventional truck. With its aeronautic curvatures, the Space Truck follows Colani’s main design characteristics: the rounded, organic forms, which he terms "biodynamic" and claims are ergonomically superior to traditional designs.

Spitzer / Colani model:

Mercedes-based model:

Cruise Ship Freedom of the Seas

Oasis measures 225,282 gross tons, several times larger than Titanic. The ship's power comes from six marine diesel engines producing 18,860 kilowatts each and three similar 12-cylinder engines each producing 13,860 kilowatts. Oasis of the Seas will offer passengers features such as two-story loft suites and luxury suites measuring 1,600 sq ft (150 m2) with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades. The ship features a zip-line, a casino, a mini-golf course, four swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts, theme parks and nurseries for children.

Another first-ever feature is a dedicated sports pool located in the main pool area. One of the two pools of the Freedom of the Seas is used almost exclusively for athletic pool games, ranging from basketball and volleyball to synchronized swimming. Other times, it will have designated lanes for lap swimming. The second pool is just for relaxing. At night, passengers can see this area transformed into an open-air nightclub with a large dance floor between the two pools.

Located at the heart of this largest cruise ship, the Royal Promenade is a 445-foot-long shopping, dining and entertainment boulevard that spans the length of an entire football field. At night, the Promenade hosts street parades, put on by select staff, commencing from a revolutionary new descending bridge amidst a fanfare of music, lasers and lights. Guests can also enjoy relaxed reading at the 3,600-volume Book Nook.