Mysterious Space 0.8.5 has been released on Steam! (I still can't quite figure out Steam's update timing; it may be a few minutes before your client downloads it.)
a run-down of the bigger items:
1. the old "Discovered the Mysterious Source" achievement has been removed. a bug in the code was causing it to be handed out to everyone for merely playing. a new achievement with the same name and appearance has been added, and the bug has been fixed. sorry if you had legitimately earned that badge before; I couldn't think of a better way to do this.
2. a few co-op changes! the orbital's weapon fires twice as fast, but each bullet does less damage. this was done to help the orbital's shots land more often, since it can be really hard to aim when the player you're orbiting JUST KEEPS MOVING :P the orbital upgrades have been tweaked a little as well. and for split-screen co-op, there's now an indicator on the edge of each player's screen showing where the other player is. their shield status is also reflected on this indicator.
3. lightning! a brand new mechanic! dark clouds may zaap nearby enemies and players alike, and can chain off of various object. there's also a new lightning generator accessory, and a new advanced technology effect that can summon electrically-charged crates (among many, many other things; the electric crate just happens to be related to the new lightning mechanic :P)
4. there's a new outpost mission: map the planet!
5. ship parts will no longer be found pre-weakened, because that was always lame. instead, they can be found pre-cursed or pre-blessed.
6. batteries can now be dropped to create a time bomb. it explodes after 3 seconds in a layered ring of bullets.
7. as mentioned in an earlier post, the equipment tab has been entirely rehauled. you'll probably hate it, since it's different, and you were used to the old layout. sorry. UI changes are always painful :| (just ask Facebook :P)
8. also as mentioned before, the teleporting eye enemy has been improved. by which I mean he should murder you less often! the teleport effect has been changed to hopefully be more clear, and he doesn't teleport in quite as close to you anymore. sorry again for all the unfair deaths this guy has caused!
the full changelog can be found here: http://mysteriousspace.com/changelog/0-8-x/
thanks for reading, and thanks for playing!
good luck, pilot!