Laser Cannon May Be Given the Go-Ahead

The laser cannon of films like Star Wars may soon make it into production. Tests for the prototype had already been conducted at the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. But due to lack of interest in it, funding for the project was halted. The laser cannon has been successfully tested on static targets on the ground years ago. Although it successfully blew up targets like mock rocket fuselages, it took several seconds to have an effect. It also couldn't be fired multiple times. Pictured is the US Army's beam director device. The new weapon can be fired from an aircraft to disable rockets and even targets on the ground.

Mercury Astronaut's and Star Trek Actor's Ashes to Be Sent to Space

Mercury spacecraft astronaut Gordon Cooper, one of the youngest of the Original Seven Mercury Astronauts has died recently at 77. He was launched into space in the Faith 7 capsule on May 15, 1963. His ashes will now be sent aboard a privately-built rocket, the SL-2 on the 28th of August (if circumstances permit). It will launch from Spaceport America, a government-funded rocket launch site near Upham, New Mexico. Going up together with Cooper's ashes are also the cremated remains of over 200 people from all over the world. This includes some of the ashes of actor James Doohan who played Scotty in the Star Trek Series. This is not the first time that Doohan's ashes will be sent to space. It had been his wish before he died. For another take on this news, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10283728/

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