Welcomed by an erotic female ‘mission control’ voice, this incredible array of space suites combines direct references to outer space travel while conveying the overall aesthetics of 2001: A Space Odyssey and other topical science-fiction thrillers.

Everything has something to do from space, from the starry carpets and paint jobs to seemingly-floating beds and even rocket-booster-shaped ceiling lights. Guests get the sense they are living in either a space habitat, space movie or both.

Other nice touches include a space glove valet sticking out of the wall, ready to ‘hold’ your keys or cellular phone. Mockups of historic rockets and photos of real lunar adventures decorate the place as well.

Space-referencing materials can be found subtly throughout like foil, while the bookshelves are filled with both scientific and fictional works about space. Seriously, there is a lot of space in this place. Visit for yourself at the Kameha Grand Zürich Hotel, and pack your spacesuit if you really want to get into the mood, though depressurization is unlikely.

The post Space Odyssey Suite: Out-of-this-World Luxury Hotel Room first appeared on Gajitz.

The same science-fiction ion drive engines found in TIE fighters and sub-warp Star Trek ships is being developed for real in Redmond, Washington, thanks to a $67 million grant from NASA to fund electronic propulsion system technology.

Over the next three years, Aerojet Rocketdyne will work on a solution that would improve fuel efficiency tenfold over chemical rocket systems, ultimately giving us greener and better ways to get to Mars, Saturn and asteroids (and be much safer than NASA-funded nuke-propelled rockets dating back to the 1960s).

Solar arrays on the spacecraft generate electrical power, which is used to produce positively charged ions and accelerate them through an electric field. After acceleration, electrons are injected into the ion beam to maintain a neutral plasma.

“Development of this technology will advance our future in-space transportation capability for a variety of NASA deep-space human and robotic exploration missions, as well as private commercial space missions,” said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

The post NASA Funds Development of Solar Electric (Ion) Engines first appeared on Gajitz.

Continuing where its epic series of exoplanetary travel posters left off, these new designs by NASA for cosmic tourists are hyperbolic but beautiful, a visual treat but also a good reminder that we should keep pushing for the stars.

The posters were created by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s design studio, assembled to help scientists plan future missions but also to connect those ideas back to the public, familiar as they are with even the most extreme notions tossed about by NASA.

Ceres, queen of the asteroid belt and gateway to the outer solar system, comes with a warning: last water before Jupiter!

Or, for those already living out in space, Earth can make a nice pit stop as you move through and beyond the local planetary systems.

Having seen the (somewhat scary) movie, some of us are still hoping to find life on Europa, whatever the risks.

The post Travel the Universe: 10 New Free NASA Tourism Posters first appeared on Gajitz.

Getting directions while biking can be a hazardous endeavor, whether via earplugs that may distract from road noise or complex visuals you can’t take time to read, hence this ultra-simple bike compass design.

Created by London startup Onomo, the Haize uses a simple system of colored and flashing lights on a circular glass surface wrapped in machined aluminum, all tied to a phone app in your pocket. The light rotates around the edge, adjusting to point in the direction the cyclist wishes to go, with red, blue and green flashes to indication direction in addition to distance.

By focusing not on directions by direction, the biker is free to make choices about how to move through the city, and avoids sometimes-confusing app or map directions designed for cars or pedestrians. It can last up to two weeks on a single charge and is small enough to slip into a pocket when you lock up your ride to avoid theft.

“We set out to develop a navigation device for cyclists that is both simple, beautiful and intuitive to use,” commented Morras. “All of the Onomo team being active cyclists ourselves, this is really a passion project to solve a personal problem as much as solving a problem for all cyclist everywhere.”

The post Magical Compass: Simple LED Points the Way for Cyclists first appeared on Gajitz.

Flying is seriously the worst. Short flights are tolerable, but being stuck on a cross-country (or, Flying Spaghetti Monster forbid, an overseas) flight in the economy section is almost enough to drive you batty. The lack of space and feeling of confinement are only made worse by that stupid seat-back tray table.

The Airhook is a simple invention that aims to give you a teensy bit more space on your next flight by letting you keep your tray table stowed for most of the flight. It hooks over the stowed tray and holds your phone or tablet and a drink while preserving your precious leg room. 

The holder attaches with a simple hook over the tray table when it’s in its upright position. You can insert your electronic device into a slot near the back; if your phone or tablet is on the large side (up to 7.5″ tall), you just attach the built-in bungee to hold it snugly in place. 

A small knob on the side lets you adjust the angle of the screen so you can keep it at a comfortable viewing angle even when the person in front of you reclines. Aside from eating meals or using your laptop, the Airhook can make the tray table totally unnecessary. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Airhook is being offered at a special price of $22.00, discounted from the regular retail price of $24.95. Not a bad deal for a thing that squashes most of the frustration associated with flying.

The post This Tiny Travel Accessory Makes Flying Much Less Horrible first appeared on Gajitz.