Optical lifting demonstrated for the first time

Scientists observed and experimentally verified a micrometer-scale object being lifted by a beam of laser light. Optical lifting may be useful for improving the design of solar sails for interstellar space travel. The scientist...

Privatisation of space flights

Growing efforts of commercial firms to commercialise space travel, including space tourism. For example, Boeing has teamed up recently with a private spaceflight marketing firm to sell passenger seats for future flights of its ...

Ideas for radically new ways to reach Space

Several innovative ideas published over the years point to potential alternatives to conventional space propulsion and may revolutionise space travel (e.g. by using much less energy). A well-known (but hard to realise) concept ...