First launch

Among other things, to make for smooth and stable cruising (we all know Bondian supervillains hate shaken martinis), the Shuttleworth team developed a new shape for the boat's outriggers -- the flying-buttress-like supports on either side of the main hull. It also increased their height.

The craft is what's called a "trimaran," with its main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls. As futuristic as the Adastra looks, the trimaran approach very probably dates back to ancient times and the "proa" built by Pacific islanders.

Here we see the Adastra on China's Pearl River, where it was launched last week.