‘Mars, here I come!’ NASA’s InSight launches on a six-month journey
NASA's InSight mission, developed to probe deep beneath the surface of Mars, began its 300-million mile journey to the red planet aboard an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The pre-dawn launch was a rare spectacle for West Coast residents and a first for NASA.
Gaia’s awe-inspiring new ‘galactic census’ star map contains 1.7 billion stars
The European Space Agency has just released an eye-popping new star map from the Gaia space telescope, including a virtual reality tour of the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. From star clusters to quasars to distant galaxies, this massive compilation of data will keep astronomers busy for years.
VR horror series ‘Campfire Creepers’ showcased at Tribeca Film Festival
Stories told around the campfire are a horror movie staple, and veteran director Alexandre Aja has brought the genre into virtual reality with a new anthology series. With the premiere of the first episode at the Tribeca Film Festival, the first two episodes are free to watch on Oculus and Gear VR.
Russia’s attempt to block Telegram crashes the country’s internet
After prevailing in court against secure encrypted messaging service Telegram, Russian regulators and security officials found that trying to ban something on the internet is easier said than done. The attempted ban interrupted service across the country -- and it may be a precursor of things to come.
MoviePass cuts daily movies, repeat viewings from its monthly subscription
MoviePass is great for film fans, but the days of unlimited movies may be coming to an end. New restrictions on subscriptions limit the number of movies you can see per month and don't let you see the same movie twice. Executives contend that the new rules only impact a small number of subscribers and the service encourages people to see different films.
NASA and ESA will team up to bring Martian soil samples back to Earth
In a quest that could finally settle the question of whether there was ever life on Mars, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are pooling their resources for a bold three-part mission to retrieve soils samples from the surface of the red planet, launch them into orbit, and return them to laboratories on Earth.
Who wouldn’t want a giant walking robot that transforms into a sports car?
A trio of Japanese companies has made many childhood dreams come true with a real-life transformer robot that morphs into a sleek sports car at the push of a button.
Netflix may buy movie theaters in hopes of scoring some Academy Awards
Most Netflix films get no respect in Hollywood, because they don't screen in theaters like other movies do. Now the streaming giant is considering purchasing a theater chain to showcase its films and generate some Oscar buzz.
Bye bye boomstick — ‘Ash vs. Evil Dead’ has been canceled by Starz
Bruce Campbell is finally putting down his chainsaw, as the series based on the Evil Dead movies has been canceled by Starz after three seasons. This may not be the last time we get so see Ash Williams in action, however.
NASA reveals its plans to have astronauts orbiting the moon by 2025
At the Space Symposium conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, NASA outlined their plans for the Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway, a stepping stone for future missions to Mars. Test flights of the first components are planned for next year.
Amazon is selling Star Wars and Marvel DVDs — but only to Prime members
The ongoing grudge match between Amazon and Disney continues to escalate, with the online retailer offering Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD copies of blockbuster Disney films only to Amazon Prime subscribers.
Hackers broke into a casino’s high-roller database through a fish tank
With connected devices multiplying every year, security flaws are increasing as well. Once hackers get a toehold into your network, they can use it to steal valuable data, as a casino found out with the aquarium thermostat in its lobby.
Citing monkey business, court refuses to toss simian selfie lawsuit
Who owns the rights to an image taken by a monkey? We may eventually know the answer, as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to dismiss the "monkey selfie" case. Although an agreement was reached between the photographer and PETA, the court says there are other issues to consider.
Researchers can now create 3D-printed structures made entirely of liquid
Scientists at Berkeley Labs have discovered a way to create 3D-printed structures, some smaller than a human hair, entirely out of liquid.
Documentary ‘Do You Trust This Computer?’ free to stream courtesy of Elon Musk
A provocative new documentary from the director of Who Killed the Electric Car? is available to stream for free all weekend, courtesy of A.I.-wary entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Google will broadcast real-time analytical predictions during the NCAA Final Four
Using a team of data analysts and basketball enthusiasts, Google will be at the NCAA Final Four using data from the first half of the games to predict what will happen in the second half.
Alexa can now take over DVR duties for TiVo, DirecTV, and more
Recording a show or switching between streaming channels will be easier than ever with new developer tools for Amazon's Alexa. You'll be able to record shows by name, jump between different providers and apps, and control on-screen playback.
Air-fueled ion thruster could provide unlimited power for space missions
The prototype ion engine tested by ESA can create fuel out of this air, allowing satellites to stay in orbit indefinitely.