The dream of flying from New York to London in just one hour has come a step closer to reality. Orbital ATK has successfully tested a 3D printed hypersonic engine combustor at Nasa Langley Research Centre in Virginia. The breakthrough could lead to planes that can travel 3,425mph (5,500km/h) - 4.5 times the speed of sound. A software model of a concept plane is shown here, with Nasa's X-43, an unmanned experimental hypersonic aircraft, shown inset.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space firm, Blue Origin, has successfully tested a re-usable rocket for the second time.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space firm, Blue Origin, has successfully tested a re-usable rocket for the second time.
The seven biggest threats to humanity revealed: From a nuclear winter to a devastating supervolcano, experts explain the violent ways the world could end
The most probable cause of the apocalypse is the eruption of a supervolcano, according to a feature from Bournemouth-based How It Work magazine. If one erupted, it would be a thousand times larger than the 1980 Mount Saint Helens eruption (pictured top right) - the most destructive volcanic eruption in recorded US history. Other scenarios include being hit by an asteroid (illustrated left) and populations being wiped out by a global pandemic (illustrated bottom right).
From the Paris bombing to Leonardo DiCaprio sniggering at Lady Gaga: Vine reveals its top ten videos from the last year
On the cusp of its third birthday, Vine has released a list of its 10 most popular videos from the past year. The 'most-looped' six-second clips have been watched around the world by millions of people - the most played, a TV rip from the France-Germany soccer match on the night of the Paris terrorist attacks, has looped more than 300 million times. Among the other popular videos are the many unfortunate antics of cute children, to the screaming 'Duck Army,' and Leonardo DiCaprio's moment of shade toward Lady Gaga.
- We have lift-off... and landing! Jeff Bezos's reusable Blue Origin rocket successfully launches before coming back to land for a second time
- What were these military planes chasing? Mystery surrounds images of two fighter jets following a UFO in Bulgaria
- The (wobbly) march of the penguins: Video of the birds on TREADMILLS reveals how their comical waddle helps them walk on ice
- Have aliens become EXTINCT? Experts claim that even if extraterrestrial life formed on other planets, it would have already died
- Hypersonic travel moves a step closer: Orbital and Nasa 3D printed scramjet engine part survives critical wind tunnel tests
- Could the MOON make this weekend's storms more destructive? Full moon will cause tides to be higher
- The telescope reinvented: Lockheed Martin reveals ‘spider eye’ system with hundreds of tiny lenses
- Black Death may have been lurking for centuries: DNA of plague victims in France backs up theory that bacteria lay dormant
- Mesmerising moving map reveals 118 species of bird migrating around the world
- Apple's virtual reality plans revealed: Firm hires industry expert in bid to take on Oculus and Google
- Apple's 4inch screen 'iPhone mini' will be called the 5se and be unveiled in March
- The seven biggest threats to humanity revealed: From a nuclear winter to a devastating supervolcano, experts explain the violent ways the world could end
- Is this the end of El Niño? Nasa say phenomenon should start to disappear – but warn global warming means 'anything could happen'
- Aliens could be found using HOLOGRAMS: Nasa says new type of microscope could spot life on icy moons
- Experts now turn to TWITTER for storm news: Researchers say social media now far more accurate than traditional forecasting
- The 'electric road' that never freezes over: Researchers reveal smart concrete that can conduct small amounts of power
- The English seaside town that could beat depression around the world: Researchers recreate Wembury and say a virtual visit makes patients relax
- The science of a sweet tooth: Scans reveal repetitive behaviours rewire our brains and cause lasting damage
- It’s as easy as ABC: Alphabet, Google’s parent company, set to overtake Apple as the most valuable company in the world
- What were these military planes chasing? Mystery surrounds images of two fighter jets following a UFO in Bulgaria
- Is this the end of El Niño? Nasa say phenomenon should start to disappear – but warn global warming means 'anything could happen'
- Is this how man will land on Mars? Watch SpaceX 'hover test' of Dragon capsule that will ferry astronauts to the space station - and could one day go to the red planet
- The origami engine: Incredibly detailed tiny V8 motor made of paper revealed (and it really works)
- When letting them have it with both barrels just isn't enough: TRIPLE barrel shotgun launched at Las Vegas firearms show
- The seven biggest threats to humanity revealed: From a nuclear winter to a devastating supervolcano, experts explain the violent ways the world could end
- Black Death may have been lurking for centuries: DNA of plague victims in France backs up theory that bacteria lay dormant
- Is there REALLY a mysterious new planet out there? Nasa warns it is too early to confirm Planet X but pledges 'if it's there, we'll find it'
- From the Paris bombing to Leonardo DiCaprio sniggering at Lady Gaga: Vine reveals its top ten videos from the last year
- The telescope reinvented: Lockheed Martin reveals ‘spider eye’ system with hundreds of tiny lenses
- Could the MOON make this weekend's storms more destructive? Full moon will cause tides to be higher
- Apple's virtual reality plans revealed: Firm hires industry expert in bid to take on Oculus and Google
- Aliens could be found using HOLOGRAMS: Nasa says new type of microscope could spot life on icy moons
- Mesmerising moving map reveals 118 species of bird migrating around the world
- Do animals EXERCISE to keep fit? Scientist suggest they may work out just like humans
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See it in action: Visor which can read your mind
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The electric scarf which can heat and cool at push of button
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CES: Panasonic unveils 4K tech, new take vinyl turntable
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CES: LG unveils ultra-thin high-tech OLED TVs
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TV makers shift focus to display color and HDR tech at CES
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CES: Samsung unveils 'Family Hub' smart refrigerator
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NASA offers a sneak peak at the world's largest rocket at CES
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CES: 3D virtual dressing mirror allows to try before you buy
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CES: Faraday Future Electric Luxury car shown off
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LG, Samsung and Sony show off their latest TVs at CES
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Wearable translator aims to end language difficulties
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Foldable electric scooter aims to transform commuting
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Creators of 'stealth' Parrot Disco drone discuss invention
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Parrot unveils 50mph drone you can launch from your hand
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Daily Mail tries out portable, immersive Royole headset
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Parrot Pot can water your plants while you're away
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3D Rudder allows gamers to 'walk' in virtual reality worlds
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ZhorTech explains what the world's first smart shoe can do
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Wearable Zepp tech will help athletes improve technique
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Parrot unveils 50mph drone you can launch from your hand
What were these military planes chasing? Mystery surrounds images of two fighter jets following a UFO in Bulgaria
According to one account, the spectacle in Nova Zagora lasted five minutes, before the UFO abruptly changed direction,causing the military planes to also perform 'spectacular manoeuvres.' A number of people, however, have said that the craft looks like it has been added to the footage after it was taken. Another explanation is that the UFO is simply a military drone.
Is there REALLY a mysterious new planet out there? Nasa warns it is too early to confirm Planet X but pledges 'if it's there, we'll find it'
The space agency warned that the controversial Caltech paper claiming a ninth planet exists beyond Pluto was 'just a prediction'. 'It is not the detection of a new planet,' said Jim Green, director of planetary science at Nasa. 'It's too early to say with certainty that there's a so-called 'Planet X' out there.'
Drone's eye view! Video lets you experience what it's like to fly on board the gadgets as they race and soar through buildings
More than 50 people pitted their drone racing skills against a champion at a first person view (FPV) event in London this week. It gave pilots the opportunity to test flight skills as an FPV pilot. As part of the sport, cameras mounted on the racing quadcopters feed back to virtual reality headsets worn by the pilots (pictured inset), streaming the in-flight action (pictured main).
A very modern Mayflower: Hi-tech autonomous yacht will sail across the Atlantic in 2020 to monitor changing ocean conditions
Plymouth University, MSubs and Shuttleworth Design are creating the first fully autonomous unmanned ship to cross the Atlantic. In 2020, the Mayflower will take the same path as the original did 400 years ago. During the 3,220 mile journey, the vessel will release drones to gather meteorological, oceanographic and climate data information. Researchers aim to get a better understanding of the ocean's condition.
Do YOU have what it takes to be an astronaut? Take Esa's test to find out: Online 'docking' game simulates the difficulties of working in space
The results of the test (screenshot shown left), which lets users solve challenges from the perspective of an astronaut will be used to develop real tests for spacemen training at Esa's European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. It seeks to give users a taste of challenges faced by astronauts working in three-dimensional space, such as a sense of disorientation, experienced on spacewalks (Tim Kopra pictured top right). The test can be played on the Netherlands Aerospace Centre's (NLR) website on a desktop browser and comes with instructions and keyboard commands (pictured bottom right).
Scott Kelly plays ping pong in space: Astronaut uses special repelling paddles to play in zero gravity with a floating ball of water
Scott Kelly spent celebrated his 300th day on the International Space Station by playing a solo game of ping pong. Instead of the traditional paddle and small white ball, Kelly used hydrophobic paddles and glob of water for a ball. The video sent back to earth shows him lighting tapping a ball of water 100 times larger than a rain drop.
How will YOU die? Take this test to find out: Fascinating chart reveals how the leading causes of death change over your lifetime
The interactive chart which calculates the likelihood of someone's cause of death based on their age, gender and ethnicity, has been created by UCLA statistician Nathan Yau. It shows how the age you are today can affect what you are most likely to die of at various stages in your life. While a baby born today is most likely to die in the first few years of life from a congenital problem, a man who is 30 today who dies at the age of 80 is most likely to be killed by a circulatory problem - such as a heart attack or stroke - or by cancer, the chart reveals.
Is this mankind's first massacre? Prehistoric tribe of men, pregnant women and children were bound and battered by invading rivals 10,000 years ago
Archaeologists at the University of Cambridge found the remains of 27 men, women and children who had been brutally killed 10,000 years ago on the edge of an ancient lagoon in Kenya. They found the remains of eight men, eight women, five other unidentified adults and six children, many with multiple fractures (pictured top right and middle inset) and smashed bones. The skeletons were found lying face down in sediment left by the lagoon as it dried up (pictured bottom right). The women and children appear to have been grouped together before they were killed and many, including one heavily pregnant woman (pictured left), had their hands and feet bound. Some were also found to have had their knees or feet broken, suggesting they had been hobbled before death.
Giant prehistoric sea monster found in a quarry may be a new species of plesiosaur: Bizarre 18ft-long beast with four flippers and a short tail lived 165 million years ago
The 18ft-long (5.4 metre) plesiosaur, which lived in the ocean at the same time as the dinosaurs, was found encased in clay in a quarry near Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire. Experts unearthed more than 600 fossilised bones (pictured bottom right) and have spent more than 400 hours cleaning and repairing the remains. They said the animal had an 8ft-long (2.4 metre) neck (vertebrae pictured left), a barrel-shaped body, four flippers (pictured top right) and a short tail. Palaeontologists are now studying the creature to see if it is a new species. An artist's impression of a similar plesiosaur is pictured inset top.
Is this Apple's car? Concept video reveals what 'Project Titan' with wraparound dashboard and watch control could look like
A new concept video reveals ideas for a futuristic-looking Apple car, with a wide dashboard display and smart capabilities. The video from ConceptsiPhone boasts that the 2020 vehicle design is 'more than a car,' with connectivity to other Apple devices. This reveal comes shortly after Tesla boss Elon Musk's claims that Apple's plan for an electric car is an 'open secret,' and is an obvious step for the company to make.
The 'dyson sphere' signals are NOT caused by comets: Study says 'alien megastructure' is still unexplained
A series of bizarre readings from a star called KIC 8462852 is still baffling scientists. Recently, Nasa scientists said that it could be a swarm of comets causing the strange signals. But a team at Louisiana State University said that for the star to dim by about 20 per cent over the course of an entire century, it would require some 648,000 comets to pass in front of it. Each of the comets would have to be around 125 miles (200km) wide - and that's implausible.
Cool runnings! Lexus fits one of its hybrid models with tyres made of ICE before driving it around a car park
London-based ice sculptors (inset top left) spent three months planning and 36 hours carving out each of the Lexus NX Hybrid's four wheels before driving it gingerly outside (main picture). The wheels (pictured bottom left) were reinforced with perspex to ensure they could take the car's weight but were fixed on using nuts made from ice. While the vehicle barely got above walking pace, Lexus did not reveal what the stopping distance would be with its icy tyres.
Can YOU tell the animal from just their eye? Stunning selection of close up portraits reveal incredible diversity in the animal kingdom
The huge variety of shapes, sizes and types of eyes in mammals, birds, amphibians and lizards have been revealed in a series of close up images revealed in National Geographic. They show how over millions of years different species have evolved unique and beautiful solutions to the problem of being able to see the world around them. The striking eye of a cuban rock iguana, a mossy leaf-tailed gecko, a Southern ground hornbill, and the bright red eye of a tree frog are pictured clockwise from the top left.
Gorillas on Mars: Rock shaped like a giant ape joins the zoo full of 'animals' to have been spotted on the red planet
A rock with a similar shape to a silver back gorilla (pictured) has been spotted by conspiracy theorists in images sent back by Nasa's Mars rover Curiosity. It is the latest in the long series of 'animals' to have been spotted on the surface of Mars. Others include rats, frogs and even a 'facehugger' from the science fiction film Alien.
Scale Mont Blanc without leaving home: Google Street View maps the icy beauty and dizzying heights of the tallest peak in the Alps
Google Street View has mapped the majestic Mont Blanc massif with the help of famed adventurers (pictured left and bottom right) to document features such as glaciers (top right) and provide 360-degree views from the summit. It brings the wild terrain of one of Europe's highest peaks to a new audience who do not want to brave the snow or climb rocky ridges.
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British photographers Fiona Rogers and Anup Shah captured apes in Indonesia and Borneo - and highlighted how human our evolutionary cousins are.