Google Nexus One in control of a space satellite
Smartphones are entering the space technology world, helped by the space centre of Surrey and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited. They ate the developers of a new satellite and plan to control it through Google Nexus One, which surely seems a creative and interesting solution.
The satellite will be launched from India at the end of the month and will provide a lot of opportunities for exploring the space. The creators took a Google Nexus One and connected it to the satellite via USB. They haven’t changed anything on the phone, but have loaded specialized software that will enable them to remotely control the device and make it perform the actions they need to get done. They have run a series of tests to prove that the smartphone is fully compatible and can be useful for the project.
The satellite with the name ‘Strand-1’ will take pictures through a special window with its 5-megapixel camera. In fact, the little spacecraft with rectangular form is a nanotechnology product with its 30 cm length and weight of 4,3 kg.
If successfully launched, Google Nexus One will be the first phone to control a satellite in space. The further development plans are putting into practice the app ‘Scream in Space’ which will show videos of screaming people. The idea is to find out if it is true that we can’t hear screams in space. Another useful app will provide information, related to the magnetic environment.
Source: BBC
