New solar sailing technology for NASA

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Researchers is taking solar sailing to the next level with advanced photonic materials. This new class of materials could be used to steer reflected or transmitted photons and enable near-Earth, interplanetary and interstellar space travel.
via Science Daily
Zazzle Space Exploration market place

Physics treasure hidden in a wallpaper pattern

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An international team of scientists has discovered a new, exotic form of insulating material with a metallic surface that could enable more efficient electronics or even quantum computing. The researchers developed a new method for analyzing existing chemical compounds that relies on the mathematical properties like symmetry that govern the repeating patterns seen in everyday wallpaper.
via Science Daily

Name Europe’s robot to roam and search for life on Mars

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The UK Space Agency has launched a competition to name a rover that is going to Mars to search for signs of life.

via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Name_Europe_s_robot_to_roam_and_search_for_life_on_Mars