Klingons Exert Influence on the International Space Station

Apparently there has been a Klingon invasion of the International Space Station—though it could have been much worse. Astronaut Steve Swanson, currently commander of the ISS (not a Mirror Universe facility), created a mission patch for Expedition 40 that paid tribute to his Star Trek fandom and the franchise's influence on society. Interestingly he did this through Klingon imagery, not Starfleet. The final patch shed the Klingon motif, but the emblem still found its way aboard the orbitting outpost.

Get more details and view the patch designs at collectSPACE.

3D Printed Food Brings Replicator One Step Closer to Reality

When you want something to eat in Star Trek, you just walk over to the wall, tell the computer what you want, and wait for it to appear. Such hands-off preparation of dinner could be closer to reality than we think. 3D printing technology is quickly moving from the realm of plastic objects to the world of cuisine. A number of companies have commercial 3D food printers coming to market, and their applications range from the creative to the practical. Culinary artisans can use them to create seemingly impossible shapes, while health-care professionals can use them to provide the elderly with more satisfying meals. The technology is even being touted at the gateway to a sustainable, eco-friendly food supply as the world's population grows.

Find out more about 3D food printing and view amazing pictures on Motherboard.