Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Makes History with 1st Rocket-Powered Flight

Virgin Galactic tweeted a photo of the historic test flight on April 

29, 2013. They wrote: "Photo: SpaceShipTwo fires her rocket motor

in flight for 1st time. 

Credit: http://MarsScientific.com pic.twitter.com/bNcOMTE9oA"

A private spaceship designed to carry space tourists made its first rocket-powered test flight today (April 29), reaching supersonic speeds as it paved the way toward commercial flights in the near future.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo space plane fired its rocket engines for the first time during flight this morning in a test from California's Mojave Air and Spaceport. The vehicle was carried aloft by the mothership WhiteKnightTwo, and then released in midair at an altitude of about 46,000 feet (14,000 meters). At that point, SpaceShipTwo test fired its rocket engine, designed to propel the craft of the rest of the way up to space.

After a short 16-second burn today, SpaceShipTwo reached a maximum altitude of 56,000 feet (17,000 meters) before flew back to Earth. The trip marked the 26th test flight of the vehicle, and the first "powered flight," which propelled the ship to Mach 1.2, fast enough to beat the speed of sound, which is 761 miles per hour (1224 km/h). 

Latest interesting inventions 2013 (Part 2)

6. TrakDot Luggage

No more lost bags! Slip this gadget into your luggage and stay informed about its location via text message, email or an app. Get notified when your suitcase arrives in your destination city, for example, or program TrakDot to alert you when it’s on the baggage carousel. Available in April. $49.95, plus $8.99 to activate and a $12.99 annual service fee; TrakDot.com

7. CordCruncher

Untangling earbuds after they’ve been stuffed in a purse, gym bag or pocket can be a pain. CordCruncher prevents knots by keeping the cord straight within an elastic sleeve. Pull the earbuds out from one side when you’re ready to use them, and then drag the sleeve back over the cord for easy storage. $25; CordCruncher.com

Latest interesting inventions 2013 (Part 1)

Sometimes all it takes is a smart product to save your sanity. We rounded up some of our favorite new developments that are either out now or hitting shelves in the next few months. From high-tech devices to simple, wish-we’d-thought-of-that tools, these low-cost innovations (most under $50!) can help you feel healthier, safer or more prepared—all the while easing everyday life.

1. Parrot Flower Power

Soon you won’t need a green thumb to keep houseplants happy. Just insert this battery-operated sensor into indoor soil to track light, humidity and temperature. Choose the type of potted plant you want to monitor from a library of 6,000 species via an app, and you’ll be alerted when it needs more water, sun or fertilizer. Available later this year. Price to be determined; Parrot.com

2. Revlon File ’N Peel 6-in-1

Ditch those worn-out nail files at the bottom of your purse! The File ’N Peel features layers you can lift and discard when they get dull to reveal fresh surfaces underneath. Three shaping layers and three smoothing layers keep nails pretty; one clever product keeps clutter at bay. And the layers last up to three months, assuming one to two uses per week. Translation: A single File ’N Peel can outlast a regular file three times over. $4.49; Revlon.com

3 new planets could host life

 STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Scientists discovered 3 planets in the "habitable zone" of their host stars
2. Kepler-69c seems less clearly in the habitable zone than the other two planets
3. They are all more than 1,000 light-years away
4. The Kepler satellite is looking at more than 150,000 stars for possible planets orbiting them

In the midst of chaos here on Earth, scientists are finding hope for life on other planets.

Scientists announced Thursday the discovery of three planets that are some of the best candidates so far for habitable worlds outside our own solar system -- and they're very far away.

NASA's Kepler satellite, which is keeping an eye on more than 150,000 stars in hopes of identifying Earth-like planets, found the trio.