NASA 3-D App to Experience Robotic Space Travel

RMN Digital | July 12, 2012 | Americas, Consumer, Mobiles, Regions | No Comments

A NASA-created application that brings some of the agency’s robotic spacecraft to life in 3-D now is available for free on the iPhone and iPad.

Called Spacecraft 3D, the app uses animation to show how spacecraft can maneuver and manipulate their outside components.

Presently, the new app features two NASA missions, the Curiosity rover that will touch down on Mars Aug. 6 at 1:31 a.m. EDT, and the twin GRAIL spacecraft Ebb and Flow currently orbiting the moon.

Meanwhile, NASA is inviting its social media followers to the first-ever multi-center NASA Social on Aug. 3 to preview the landing of the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity rover on Aug. 6 EDT (Aug. 5 PDT). (Read: NASA to Host Social Media Event for Mars Landing)

“With Spacecraft 3D and a mobile device, you can put high definition, three-dimensional models literally into the hands of kids of all ages,” said Stephen Kulczycki, deputy director for communications and education at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif.

Spacecraft 3D is among the first of what are known as augmented-reality apps for Apple devices. Augmented-reality provides users a view of a real-world environment where elements are improved by additional input.

Spacecraft 3D uses the iPhone or iPad camera to overlay information on the device’s main screen. The app instructs users to print an augmented reality target on a standard sheet of paper. When the device’s camera is pointed at the target, the spacecraft chosen by the user materializes on screen.

[ Also Read: NASA Ready to Transfer its Technology to Businesses ]

Spacecraft 3D also has a feature where you can take your own augmented-reality picture of the rover or GRAIL spacecraft. You can even make a self-portrait with a spacecraft, putting yourself or someone else in the picture.

Spacecraft 3D currently is only available for Apple formats, but should be available on other formats in the near future, said NASA.

The detailed computer models of the spacecraft used in Spacecraft 3D originally were generated for NASA’s “Eyes on the Solar System” web application. Eyes on the Solar System” is a 3-D environment full of NASA mission data that allows anyone to explore the cosmos from their computer.

Photo courtesy: NASA