As you prepare to whip out the bug spray and water filter for your annual camping trip, you might consider a little bit of NASA technology as part of that camping trip. Garret Finney worked on habitation modules for the International Space Station while working at NASA, but he has now taken that passion for efficient living to the world of camping trailers.

No, it’s not the most glamorous-looking thing in the world and it hardly looks space age, but the “Cricket” is supposed to be remarkably utilitarian and efficient. For starters, it’s lightweight (around 1300 pounds), so you can tow it with even smaller cars and SUVs without resorting to a big honking truck. Next, the living space is flexible and adaptable. The couch becomes a bed and there are “loft” sleeping quarters too. There’s a small kitchen in there with a rotating table. You’ll even find a pull-out shower to wash off all that dirt you’ll surely accumulate. It’s not as big as an RV, but it’s not as small as a tent either; the Cricket fits somewhere in between.

This almost makes me think of the caravan challenge from Top Gear, but with far less buffoonery. And you can fully customize it to suit your needs, including solar panels, air conditioning, and a portable toilet. Prices start at $14,330.

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The timing of this is a little off, since camping season is pretty much wrapping up, but the Sealander camping trailer is certainly an intriguing proposition. The pod-like camper is small and light enough to be towed by a mid-size vehicle, but it comes with a couple of surprises when you arrive at your chosen campsite.

First, it can function as a tent. That’s simple enough, since there are benches and beds and such in the modular and configurable interior. The inside can also be moved and swapped around to form the kitchen, complete with sink, fridge, and heater. The roof can also be peeled back for a night under the stars.

But the real kicker is that the Sealander, as its name leads you to believe, is also a seafaring vehicle. There is a “low emissions” electric motor in there that lets the waterproof Sealander hit the lake. That’s pretty awesome. It also has a shallow draft so you can make your way through shallower waters too.

Maybe the timing isn’t so terrible, since you can’t even get the Sealander yet. They’re planning a launch in 2012 with an approximate price of $20,400. If they’re able to hit the retail channels and get distribution by the spring, this could be quite the hot seller.

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