This week was a pretty great week for travel in general. After three explosive blunders, the SpaceX rocket project had its first successful liftoff — a first for a privately-funded spacecraft. Mercedes, though, is after your private funds with its slick new Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard Pullman 08. It sure looks fast, but so does this Biocat Catamaran, a conceptual boat designed to go over 110 mph atop the water. And under the waves, MIT's sending out its most advanced robotic explorer to explore 20,000 feet below the sea.

We also learned a thing or two about safety. What if, say, you fell out of that Biocat? Well, hopefully a friendly, robotic manta ray would swoop up and save you. Or if another SpaceX rocket fell to the ground in flames? Here's a fire extinguisher that looks like a laser rifle.

More top stories from the week:

SHIFT: Big Brother online?
Don't look now, but it's about to happen.

HD Guru puts 125 HDTVs to the high-rez test
With surprising results!

Single-Person Helicopter concept lets humans play insectoid menace
Is the dream of personal flight finally upon us?

Steampunk phone: trade in your SIM for a punch card
It's bulky, inefficient and a hassle. We love it.

Review: Can the Slingbox Pro-HD stream HD video to Starbucks?
Verdict: depends. Find out why.

Anti-piracy net keeps seafaring baddies at bay
A new way to tangle up modern-day pirates.

Watermill turns humid air into drinkable water
Now if we could only find a way to make stillsuits.