In recent years, scientists have learned a few nice closest to the Earth celestial bodies. On the Moon and Mars, we know quite a lot. But other planets remains a mystery. Let’s look at a new device study the cosmos.

One of these mysteries is Venus. Information from the probes that were sent to it is hardly exhaustive. To gather the necessary data required many more missions.

It is possible that exercise is said to help VAMP unmanned airplane that went to explore the acid cloud. Let’s look at the basic features of VAMP.

Features of the VAMP

Said abbreviation stands as follows – Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform.

A unique platform for the Venusian atmosphere was created by Northrop Grumman. That’s great – the prototype is ready, test trials will begin in October (until, of course, on Earth).

What is a VAMP? It is a flat “inflatable” aircraft with a wingspan of about 45 meters. The task of the UAV – soar in the sky at a height of 54 to 69 km (by collecting the necessary information).

The payload unit – 200 kg. It will be used to install the sensors, solar panels, cameras, batteries and other equipment.

Of course, Northrop Grumman developed the car for a reason. A multi-million dollar funding for NASA. It is expected that the invention is interested in the US space agency.

Conclusion of the VAMP

However, you first need to beat rivals to win the competition of ideas. Results of the contest will summarize in 4 years.

Source: Engadget

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Despite the fact that many companies are seriously develop virtual reality technology, creating special glasses and helmets, so far they have not received such wide popularity, as we would like. Even the most famous virtual reality helmet Oculus Rift many may come as a surprise. However, some manufacturers are still doing their best to make their products gradually filled the market.

As the resource Engadget, Samsung has started working with the Australian airline Qantas. In the framework of this cooperation the passengers will receive a virtual reality helmet Gear VR from Samsung, which they can use during the flight.

It is reported that Gear VR receive only first-class passengers flying flight between Melbourne and Sydney. The experiment will continue for a month, and then the company will decide whether to continue to use virtual reality helmets during flight.

In addition, while using the Gear VR passengers will only be available some functions, for example, it will show an overview of the circular first-class cabin, type of aircraft during takeoff and landing, or attractions Australia.

Other features of the helmet will not be available, as will agree that move your head or jump during the flight is not so convenient and safe.

Recall that Airbus has also been working on the creation of a virtual reality helmet that can help aerophobia easier to transfer flight.

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By the end of November this year, European citizens will be able to use smart phones, tablets, e-readers and music players in passenger aircraft with virtually no restrictions.

It was learned that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by the end of this month will put in place a new directive that will allow use of the above devices on airplanes under one condition – they have to work in the desired mode – “Flight Mode”.

Recall that until now the use of these devices is prohibited during the movement of aircraft on the ground and during takeoff and landing. What is remarkable is that the laptops will still remain in the list of prohibited devices, because they are too cumbersome.

Recall that in October a similar decision regarding smart phones, tablets and e-book a special committee issued U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

It is worth noting that the new rules only apply to European airlines. So for the moment it is not clear whether the passengers depart through Europe, but use the services of the company, with operations outside Europe, to enjoy the privileges of the data.

Agency EASA also stated that at the moment looking for a technology that allows certified smart phones for making phone calls in an airplane. Recall that a cellular communications in aircraft owned by U.S. airlines, also remains a “forbidden fruit”, despite the existence of the service Gogo Text & Talk, which uses technology allowed FAA.

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Not just Chinese companies really appreciate the benefits of flying drones. The Agency for Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) has also failed to ignore the rapidly growing segment of robotics. In the near future, DARPA plans to build a fleet of underwater drones deployed in ocean waters worldwide. The project is called Hydra.

At the moment the project is in the early planning stages. Last month, the agency organized the presentation of Hydra at Johns Hopkins University in order to arouse the interest of defense contractors who can provide some good ideas on the implementation of the program. As planned by DARPA, drones must quickly deliver supplies and equipment for the personnel of the Navy (Navy), United States, located near coastlines in submarines and ships and even on airplanes.

During the presentation, DARPA explained that the main objective of the project is the design and development of a network of drones that will be able to store and transport a payload of all kinds, not only in the air, but under water. The official documentation from DARPA presentation focuses on the ever-increasing number of countries without a stable government and the pirates, who crushed Navy resources, which in turn negatively displayed on the amount of necessary operations and patrols. The project Hydra agency also expressed a desire to explore the possibility of building a so-called maternal underwater drones, which will become a platform for the launch of the smaller drones aimed at use in battle. In this case, control of the platform and the drones will be using the remote control. Probably for most of this idea is the stuff of science fiction, but do not underestimate the DARPA.

Recall, the agency already has some pretty promising projects in development, including the form of military Warrior Web , flying car Transformer TX and humanoid robot ATLAS .

DARPA said resource InformationWeek , that drones will be equipped with Hydra standard containers under different load and will be able to store it for a month. The agency will accept offers investors until October 22. Before that time, no one will take an interest in the project, it will have to roll. If successful developments DARPA promises to showcase the work of Hydra already in 2018.

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First on the program Transformer TX, which aims to create the first prototypes of vehicles that can move equally well on land and by air, the Agency for Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) became known in 2009.

Recall that even if one of the requirements for flying cars, Transformers was the requirement to implement the feasibility of vertical take-off and landing, as the rocket Grasshopper . The draft Transformer TX agency DARPA is going to take on vehicles and helicopters strengths and combine them into one vehicle that can transport soldiers and weapons by land and air, reports ExtremeTech.

Last week, during an exhibition Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International were shown several concepts of the project Transformer TX. More than three years of development was enough, and now a team of engineers Lockheed Martin, received the contract to build the Transformer TX, ready to begin the third phase of the project, which allocated $ 20.3 million – to begin work on the first prototype. This concept specialists Lockheed Martin joined several technologies from different fields, ranging from autonomous drones and ending with ducted propellers. The project, which some time ago that another attempt to create a flying car, now looks much more real than ever.

One of the main features that allows Transformer TX less vulnerable than modern military helicopters, a special design of the propellers. Instead, the rotor is mounted on the roof of a car in a pair of ducted propellers. It should be noted that this development is not new and has repeatedly met in real life (blimps, hovercraft and aircraft Martin Jetpack ), and the company Lockheed Martin has been using this technology in their fighters vertical takeoff and landing, for example, model F-35. However, at the same time with the channel fans to improve fuel efficiency and increase the maximum speed for level flight in an F-35 jet engines used. 

According to preliminary data, Transformer TX on one tank of fuel will be able to cover the distance of 400 km. This is almost two times lower than the usual range transport helicopter Sea Knight.

However, the benefits from ducted propellers as much. In size they are much less compared to the rotor, which makes them safer. Thus for this system equipped with landing flying vehicle require less space (about half of the area required for a conventional helicopter). It is also known that Transformer TX will have a modular design.

If it was initially planned that the vehicle will be able to carry four passengers and will be like a sedan with a rotor of a helicopter and small plane wings, now discusses a wide range of functions and the payload: the military, equipment, food, and even all-terrain Humvee. Another key feature of the project will be the Transformer TX system of autonomous flight. Perhaps it will be control by remote control or from a special protected cabin, located inside the vehicle. Unfortunately, other details have not been disclosed.

Incidentally, another requirement for compliance Transformer TX is given size – not more than 2.6 m in width and 9.14 m in length. This will allow it to move freely in the single-lane road.

Lockheed company plans to begin testing a miniature version of the Transformer TX (1/3 of actual size) in wind tunnels by the end of the year, and the first working prototype will be ready in 2015.

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