Android in spaaaace! (Part 2)

Thursday, September 1, 2011 | 10:19 AM

(Cross-posted from the Official Google Blog)

Back in December, Android ventured into near space, thanks to a weekend of DIY work, a couple of Nexus S phones, some weather balloons and the help of this little guy. After this first adventure, we knew it was only a matter of time before Android went further into space.

On the last manned space shuttle, Atlantis, NASA sent two Nexus S phones along for the ride as part of the STS-135 mission. The goal is to use Nexus S on the International Space Station to explore how robots can help humans experiment and live in space more efficiently.

 

NASA is using Nexus S phones to upgrade a trio of volleyball-sized SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites), originally developed by MIT. The phones help the robotic satellites perform tasks the astronauts used to do, like recording sensor data and capturing 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).

A couple of our engineers built an open source sensor logging app that NASA decided was perfect for running diagnostics with the SPHERES. You can download the same app yourself from Android Market. NASA was interested in Android 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. Nexus S was also a good fit because of its various sensors and low-powered, but high-performing, processor.

You can learn more about the project on NASA’s website. We loved being a part of the final Space Shuttle mission and working to bring the power of the Android platform to space exploration.

13 comments:

Scott said...

Space?
Spaaaace?
SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

Gaƫl Giraudeau said...

Next test: Android Companion Cube!

Unknown said...

Google do there bit to help out with space clutter I see.

https://plus.google.com/113643425309682495997/posts/HqXwgmuHo8E

Kenny said...

Are they using Android running a Gingerbread (smartphone) or an Honeycomb (tablet)?

giunda said...

hehe, adr so great angry birds online free

Shivam Shishodia said...

Google has covered our life the a lot of things... search,then OS and now Google android is going to rock the space

Developers Code said...

OMG Google is Google......
http://www.developerscode.com/

David said...

So Google's reached spaaace?
I'm quite sure the next thing we'll hear is Google getting into the energy sector.

Software Product Development

Admin said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

jhay ar said...

In space this is crazy!!!!!


best android apps 2011

sajjad1159 said...

Oh ! very good post, after seeing this post my mind is blowing in space. very good and appreciate-able post.
Regards:
the best videos

sajjad1159 said...

very nice post, ever on this blog. i hope this will be appreciated.
Regards:
nepali songs

Danielle said...

That is so cool!