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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Virgin Orbit says it is weeks away from the first orbital launch of its LauncherOne rocket as the company makes plans to move quickly into operations if that flight is successful.

The company said in a series of tweets Jan. 31 that is in final preparations for its test launch, with the LauncherOne rocket attached to its Boeing 747 aircraft for a final series of tests and dress rehearsals at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. That includes a captive carry flight, where the plane will take off with the rocket attached for the entire flight.

The company didn’t disclose when that launch would take place beyond that it was “really close” to being ready for the flight. Dan Hart, chief executive of Virgin Orbit, said that launch would take place in the “coming weeks” during a panel discussion at the SmallSat Symposium here Feb. 4.

India’s largest commercial oil company, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., will partner with Lod-based energy start-up Phinergy to develop and produce innovative metal-air batteries, often regarded as the solution for long-distance electric-vehicle travel.

Indian Oil said it had bought a minority stake in Phinergy on Tuesday, which specializes in aluminum-air (Al-air) and zinc-air technologies. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that carry oxygen within a heavy electrode, metal-air systems produce energy by combining aluminum, water and oxygen from the air.

The future incorporation of the long-pursued battery solution into electric vehicles, Phinergy said, will enable long-range driving, five-minute energy recharges and lowering the cost of electric vehicles.

Continue reading “Indian oil giant, Israeli start-up to develop metal-air batteries” »

It’s hard to imagine today, but Wright Electric is trying to build an electric aircraft for 186 passengers.

Wright Electric announced the start of the electric propulsion development program for the 186-seat electric aircraft — Wright 1.

This flying motorcycle takes coolness to new heights.

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Audi has unveiled the “AI: ME,” a Level 4 autonomous, all-electric concept car. Its high-tech features are contrasted with a nature-inspired design.

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Uber-flying-car-2020.

Uber aims to prove once again its intention to stay at the crest of innovation with the latest updates of its flying car concept, which it plans to launch by 2020.

Continue reading “This awesome Uber flying car concept may become reality by 2020” »

If the rocket company pulled off a point-to-point transportation business with its Starship rocket, international airline travel could implode.