SpaceX Studying Mars Mission Landing Sites

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is surveying Mars for future landing sites, reports SpaceNews. The company is working in partnership with NASA to find sites on the Red Planet that could support human life with resources such as melted ice for drinking or sun rays for powering solar panels.

Snap Inc. Gets First Buy Rating from Wall Street Firm

Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, received its first buy rating from equity research firm Monness Crespi Hardt, reports CNBC. Wall Street research firms have thus far been reluctant to encourage investors to buy more of Snap’s stock with six firms suggesting investors sell the stock and three telling investors to hold onto the stock.

Two Bit Circus Develops VR and Motion Simulator

Mini-amusement park Two Bit Circus unveiled a virtual reality and motion simulator experience that makes users feel as if they were on the side of a skyscraper in a window-washing platform, reports Venture Beat. The experience uses a motion platform that shakes underfoot and an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.

Send tips on L.A. tech companies and startups to reporter Garrett Reim via [email protected]. Follow @garrettreim on Twitter for the latest in L.A. tech news.