Concept for a hotel in space reimagines outer space living

When you think about living in space, the Jetsons’ house is probably the first thing that comes to mind (well, that is if you’re of the generation that regularly watched the animated series). We’re basically imagining how we live on earth but transported to space so there may be some advanced technology things floating around. But the reality is that housing in outer space will probably be very different from how we live on our planet.

Designer: Acromnia Studio

The Acromnia Orbital Hotel is a speculative concept design for how we may actually live in space and it is vastly different from what we’re probably imagining. Instead of just transporting a futuristic looking regular hotel room to space, this is actually a “room” that doesn’t have any furniture or any of the other trappings that we expect from it. Inside the shell (we can barely call it a room), you have a sort of shape-shifting, responsive material that will adapt to what the occupant needs at a certain time.

For example, when it’s sleeping time, the walls will envelop you, which is not so good news if you’re not a fan of closed spaces. In fact, the entire space has a bit of a claustrophobic look to it so it’s not something I’m looking forward to. There are also various buttons and navigation devices that you can use to control what elements and furniture will come out when you need them. The shell also has micropores that will let things like sound, light, scent, and air flow freely through your space.

The hotel room can exist independently as a hexahedron-shaped structure or it can also be put together to form a network of capsules. Living in space outside of space shuttles is still such a conceptual idea that things like this seem light years away for now. But for design companies and for those that are looking into space travel, it’s never too early to plan how we’re going to live and survive outside of Earth.

The post Concept for a hotel in space reimagines outer space living first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nike-inspired minimal trendy sneakers look so sleek, they’re destined for the moon!

Averted Vision is a futuristic shoe collection inspired by what sneakers might look like if they were worn on the moon.

The further we progress towards a technological future, the more tantalizing outer space becomes. It can feel like we’re closer than ever to our dreams of moving to the moon or Mars. As we dream about the possibilities, we might imagine ourselves wearing our Earth-bound clothes–a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

Designer: Amr Elwan

But what would sneakers look like if they were specifically designed for use on the moon? Set on finding out, graphic designer Amr Elwan revealed his own sneakers design called Averted Vision, after “the first generation of human verbal expression on the moon.”

Defined by its cushioned design and minimalist profile, Averted Vision is practical and trendy. The cushioned soles take up around half of the shoe’s side profiles, providing ample bounce for playing without gravity. Conceptualized without shoelaces, Averted Vision could benefit from textile technology to form-fit around the wearer’s feet for a snug, comfy fit.

The silhouette of the shoe seems to be inspired by designs of today, like Yeezy Foam Runners and Boosts. These days, it sometimes feels like we’re a stone’s throw away from life on Mars, so it’s not surprising that designers tapped into the future are influenced by the trends of today. Envisioned in optic white and a slate gray, Elwan pictures his shoes with a minimalist appeal that’s rooted in the future but timeless by design.

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This futuristic watch concept combines the aesthetics of spaceships with the precision of analog mechanics

Space 2081 is a watch concept from Andrey Dalakishvili that combines spaceship aesthetics with analog mechanics.

No matter how it’s worn, a watch is always a statement piece. Wearing a good watch can tie an outfit together or stand out as its own look completely. Russian designer Andrey Dalakishvili looked to monolithic spaceships to source inspiration for his watch design called Space 2081.

Designer: Andrey Dalakishvili

Giving spaceships back their spotlight, Dalakishvili set out to design a watch that encapsulates the futuristic aesthetics and fine-tuned, technical details of spaceships. Space 2081 takes on subtle detailing to hone in on the watch’s futurist look and incorporates an analog display in ode to the mechanical precision of spaceships.

Spurred by the spaceship’s popularity in mass culture, from Hollywood classic films to video games, Dalakishvili scaled-down spacecraft motifs like aerodynamic structuring and rubber coverings to fit around your wrist. The rubber strap is conceived for durability while packing in a whole ton of comfort for everyday use. Coated in army green, the rubber strap instantaneously exudes serious business. The watch face itself is digitally minimal, opting instead for an analog display and inner hardware.

Diagonal etched lines run perpendicular to give the watch face a three-dimensional look, emphasizing the futuristic look of the whole piece. Merging with the diagonal lines, concentric circles define the actual watch clock, which hosts bright green hour and minute hands to compliment the dark green strap and glow in the dark.

Speaking to his choice to maintain the analog nature of the watch, Dalakishvili explains, “Even though we associate space with digital technologies, [the watch] was conceived with analog mechanisms–like a spaceship, it requires precision and filigree in creation and assembly.”

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This moon village plans to harness solar energy to sustain tourism in the future!





In the south polar region of the Moon, architects at SOM–Skidmore, Owings & Merrill have envisioned a Moon Village. In collaboration with ESA–European Space Agency and MIT–Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the debut of Moon Village at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia kicked off an initiative of returning to the Moon five decades after humans first set foot on its surface. Visualized on the rim of the Moon’s Shackleton Crater, the location was chosen with consideration for the near-continuous daylight it receives throughout the lunar year.

Primarily conceived of as a cluster of research stations, Moon Village would host an array of functions spanning from sustainability research opportunities to the future prospect of Moon tourism. The south polar region of the Moon supports the possibility of a self-sufficient settlement, receiving near eternal sunlight that could be harnessed and stored for energy. This part of the Moon also hosts a variety of untouched matter that could offer insight into the Solar System’s early history as well as the general emergence of our larger universe.

Above all else, the structure of each individual hub comprises a modular frame and protective exterior to cater to the varied projects taking place inside. Most of the action would be taking place in each structure’s open centralized space, leaving room for the supportive framework, made from titanium alloy to be built into each building’s perimeter. Describing the structure’s blueprint, the architects at SOM say, “The innovative structural design of the modules is a hybrid rigid-soft system, made of two key elements: a rigid composite perimeter frame and an inflatable structural shell that integrates a multi-layer assembly with an environmental protection system.”

SOM decided on an inflatable shell and rigid, if not a minimal internal framework to easily transport each structure’s building materials by rocket. The combination of a rigid framework and inflatable structural shell, made from open-foam polyurethane and double-aluminized Mylar for insulation, was also chosen by SOM to adapt to internal and external environmental conditions, optimize airflow, and maintain transparent working spaces, while the free centralized volume promotes efficiency and mobility for research projects.

Designer: SOM–Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Located in the south polar region of the Moon, SOM’s Moon Village would harness energy from the sun to generate their research facilities.

Comprising a cluster of Moon Villages, SOM intended for a human-centric design when developing Moon Village.

SOM envisions solar towers to form grids around Shackleton Crater and harness the sunlight’s energy.

Inside, an open centralized volume will leave plenty of room for efficient working and unrestricted mobility.

The main internal structure will be located in the perimeter of each structure.

An external, inflatable structural shell will protect Moon Village hubs from micrometeorites.

The internal framework of Moon Village’s research hubs will ensure the structure’s stability and soundness.

The 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia hosted Moon Village’s model debut.

Constellation Earrings

constellation earrings
They say some people have stars in their eyes. Others can have stars in their ears. Literally, with these Constellation Earrings. There are two different sets of earrings available: Big Dipper/Little Dipper and Orion/Cassiopeia. The earrings are made of sterling silver with white topaz chips for the stars.
orion earring
That’s elegantly geeky. You can rotate them downward and wear them as a dangle earrings too. Great for astronomy fans and people who like stars (isn’t that everyone?). Scientifically proven to be stylish.
stars earrings in use
When you wish upon a star, your ears ring true. Or something like that. If the stars align, you might be my lucky star and find these out of this world gifts under your star-topped tree this Christmas.
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Constellation Earrings
Check out our Craziest Gadgets Shop for unique gifts!

Solar System INSIDE a Cake

planet cake Solar System INSIDE a Cake
Cake….the final frontier. Check out this delectably sweet solar system cake from Gonzuela’s Cakes (Gonzuela Bastarache). Unlike a typical cake, this one has the decorations INSIDE the cake. That’s actually a twice baked cake and Gonzuela says it’s easy to make and then gives instructions on how to do it that don’t look easy or simple at all. To her credit she did go all old school on it and included Pluto as one of the planets. Now kids, no need to fight over who gets to eat Uranus, there’s enough for everyone. Sweet.

Solar System INSIDE a Cake

Astronaut and Soldier Smartphone Stands

astronaut phone holder Astronaut and Soldier Smartphone Stands
Blast off or blast some bad guys with Astronaut and Soldier Smartphone Stands (JP). I love how the astronaut looks like he’s talking on his own cell phone. The soldier is on his phone as well. Maybe he’s calling the astronaut, “hey spaceman, whatchu doing?”. “Nothing, just floating around”.
soldier phone holder Astronaut and Soldier Smartphone Stands
I’m sensing a communication theme here. Also a holding large boxes on your back theme. Mark my words, in the future real astronauts will in fact talk on tiny smartphones while hauling massive iPhones on their backs. It will happen.

Astronaut and Soldier Smartphone Stands

Give Your Christmas Tree the Old Heave-Ho to Outer Space

Rocket Tree

Christmas has passed and we’re well into the first week of the new year. It’s time to take down the holiday decorations, finish the leftovers from various family dinners, and get back to work. The biggest holiday clean-up hassle of all, though, is the tree. It’s huge, it’s bulky, and it’s probably the most tedious to take care of.

Several folks probably felt the same way, so they did something you probably wanted to do but never did with your tree: send it to outer space.

Well, almost-outer space anyway, since the tree rose over 120 feet before making its descent. The Christmas tree rocket was propelled upward by 32 rocket engines powered by a car battery. An on-board tree cam provided amazing views of the entire flight, as you can see in the clip above.

VIA [ The Daily Mail ]

Plush Planets

plush planets Plush Planets
Outer space and planets and science are so hot right now. You can bring home all those lovable interstellar bodies you love with these Plush Planets Plush Planets. Super soft, relatively accurately detailed and squishy… just like the real planets:
plush planets all Plush Planets
7 plush pieces of our solar system are available in all: the Sun, Mercury, Earth (yeah! shoutout my home planet, what’s up Earth people!), the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Coming soon: Venus, Uranus, Neptune. Yep, Pluto got the shaft on this one, again.
plush planets girl e1350398820303 Plush Planets
Don’t stare directly at the sun! Each heavenly body has a pair of little legs (that’s how the planets move, you know) and a little face that you’ll just want to snuggle up to. Super cute and super scientific. Collect one, collect them all.

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Plush Planets


NASA InSight tapped for Mars drilling mission in 2016

NASA InSight tapped for Mars drilling mission in 2016

The surface of Mars? Psh... been there. With the Curiosity stage well under way, our exploration of the Red Planet is about to take a dive beneath the dust. Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport -- InSight, for short -- was just confirmed as a new NASA mission, with the space agency set to launch in March of 2016. Based on the Phoenix lander, the craft is tasked with giving us a peek beneath the planet's surface, armed with tools that include a geodetic instrument from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which will be used to calculate Mars' rotation axis, a seismic wave sensor and a subsurface heat probe, to measure the planet's internal temperature. The program has a $425 million budget -- a bit shy of the $2.5 billion allocated for Curiosity -- not including the costly launch vehicle. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said that InSight will help pave the way for future human missions to Mars, and represents just one of the related projects to come. Hit up the source link below for a closer look at JPL's latest endeavor.

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NASA InSight tapped for Mars drilling mission in 2016 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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