NASA receives images from Nexus PhoneSat satellites

by Harrison Kaminsky on May 5th 2013, 9:43am
tagged NASA, satellites, Space

NASA certainly isn’t new to the task of taking images of the earth from space— however, this would be the first time that these images were taken using “PhoneSats,” a new, super-cheap, super-small type of satellite powered by Android smartphones.

Launched into orbit last month with the goal of showing that it is possible to create space-worthy hardware from consumer-grade devices, Alexander, Graham, and Bell (the names of the three satellite devices) returned blurry images before burning up in the atmosphere as planned on April 27th. » Read the rest

NASA releases augmented reality app for viewing 3D spacecraft models

by Jared Peters on Mar 9th 2013, 11:32pm
tagged Augmented Reality, curiosity, NASA

Many of you probably know about NASA’s latest venture onto Mars with the little spacecraft that could, Curiosity. Have you ever gotten a bit curious about exactly what that little gadget actually looked like? If you have, you’re in luck, as NASA has released an augmented reality app that will let you view a full 3D rendering of Curiosity or a few other models of spacecraft, with more models said to be added in the future.

The app is as simple as printing out a few markers, then aiming your device camera at those markers to see the 3D model. Best of all, it’s a free application. Hit the download links below to test out the app for yourself.

Play Store Download Link

HTC Nexus One is officially the first ‘smartpho-naut’ as part of the NASA PhoneSat program

by Robert Nazarian on Feb 28th 2013, 12:38pm
tagged HTC, NASA, nexus one

Do you remember the NASA PhoneSat project that we learned about last summer? The purpose of it was to build small nanosatellites using small consumer electronics. Well the Nexus One was the chosen one and it’s in space right now. The Nexus One launched on February 25th, and HTC is calling it the first smartpho-naut.

So what is it doing up there? It’s taking snapshots, and what’s really cool is the 360app is installed on it, which means earth creatures will be able to request snapshots soon. That feature isn’t live yet, so stay tuned. For background information on the PhoneSat project, hit the break for a short video.

» Read the rest

Android smartphones to power NASA’s fleet of miniature satellites

by Colton Kaiser on Aug 24th 2012, 3:10pm
tagged Android, NASA

We’ve seen Android serve as the basis for so many innovative ventures, but NASA’s latest project could top them all. A team from NASA’s Ames Research center in California has began construction on a group of miniature satellites composed entirely of Nexus smartphones. The project, properly titled “PhoneSat” is just a small part of the larger Small Spacecraft Technology Program (SSTP) that aims to build nanosatellites by using small consumer electronics.

NASA has confirmed that the team has already built two nanosatellite prototype models. PhoneSat 1.0 is the first of the two, and offers limited functionality. The goal for this model is to simply observe and determine if a mini-satellite with a consumer smartphone can survive a short period of time in space. However, one of the most important aspects in determining success is if the satellite can actually send back actual health and picture data from space. In addition to sporting a Nexus One, the body of the satellite will include an array of batteries, a watchdog circuit to monitor the system (and reboot the phone, if necessary) and an external radio beacon.

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Angry Birds Space update hijacks NASA Curiosity Rover

by Jeff Causey on Aug 23rd 2012, 10:57pm
tagged Angry Birds Space, Google Play Store, NASA, rovio, update

NASA and Rovio have enjoyed a nice working relationship on the Angry Birds Space version of the blockbuster hit game. With the popularity of the Mars Curiosity Rover, Rovio stepped things up and incorporated Curiosity into the game in a big way. Curiousity has a major role in the teaser video Rovio released for this latest update. It is also incorporated into the storyline which has the Piggies hijacking Curiosity to go in search of eggs. The changelog for the update released today indicates 20 new levels on the Red Planet are now available, new challenges like volcanoes and fiery asteroids have been added, and a new astronaut pig may be found. In a nod to NASA, information about real NASA missions can be accessed if you succeed in accessing some hidden levels.

Check out the teaser video after the break and then use the download link to check out Angry Birds Space in the Google Play Store. » Read the rest

Android aboard Atlantis

by Jim Farmer on Sep 1st 2011, 9:16pm
tagged Android, NASA, Nexus S, Samsung, Space

Android’s adventures in space continue! Last December, Android ventured into near space through a combination of DIY work, some Nexus S phones, and some weather balloons. From that point on, it became clear that Android was destined to boldly go where no Android has gone before; NASA agreed. On its final mission, Atlantis carried aboard two Nexus S phones as part of STS-135′s mission. NASA is utilizing the Nexus S to upgrade a trio of volleyball sized SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) used to record sensor data and video footage. In the future, the phones will control and maneuver the SPHERES using the IOIO board and possibly the Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK).

The Nexus phones are also preloaded with an open source sensor logging app developed by Google, which NASA deemed perfect for running diagnostics with the SPHERES.

NASA was interested in Android primarily because it’s an open source platform, which makes it easy to customize the software on the phone to meet the specifications required to fly in space and work with the SPHERES. The Nexus S was also a good fit because of its various sensors and low-powered, but high-performing, processor.

Video after the break » Read the rest