Today India became the first nation to launch a satellite built around / with a smartphone - a Google Nexus One running Android OS.
The first smartphone-operated satellite in space is just one of the many firsts of STRaND-1. On board there are innovative new technologies such as
It is also flying a 3D printed part - another first to fly in space!
Why smartphones
STRaND-1 is a 30cm cubesat weighing 3.5kg. At the heart of the satellite is a Google Nexus One smartphone with Android operating system.
Smartphones are highly advanced and already incorporate several key features which are essential to a satellite such as cameras, radio links, accelerometers and high performance computer processors. All they lack are solar panels and propulsion.
:-)
How Google Nexus One will be used
STRaND nanosatellite project has selected 3 winning applications, which are unique, opening new avenues of scientific research and even for public participation.
iTesa is an application that will record the magnitude of the magnetic field around the phone during orbit. Used as a precursor to further scientific studies, such as detecting Alfven waves (magnetic oscillations in our upper atmosphere), the iTEsa app could provide proof of principle.
The STRAND Data app will show satellite telemetry on the smartphone's display which can be imaged by an additional camera on-board. This will enable new graphical telemetry to interpret trends.
The 360 app will take images using the smartphone's camera and use the technology onboard the spacecraft to establish STRaND-1's position.
The public will be able to request their own unique satellite image of Earth through a website, where images can be seen on a map showing where they have been acquired. For more information www.360app.co.uk
The Scream in Space app will make full use of the smartphone's speakers. Testing the theory 'in space no-one can hear you scream, made popular in the 1979 film 'Alien', the app will allow the public to upload videos of themselves screaming in a creative way to an allocated website. The most popular videos will be played on the phone while in orbit and the scream recorded using the smartphone's microphone. What are you waiting for? Go to www.screaminspace.com
Live video of launch from Chennai
With so many firsts, I decided to capture for posterity the launch of the Google One Nexus into space from my home.
What better way to capture the launch of an Android OS satellite than on an Android OS phone, sitting at home?
So enjoy the video.
The first smartphone-operated satellite in space is just one of the many firsts of STRaND-1. On board there are innovative new technologies such as
- WARP DRiVE (Water Alcohol Resistojet Propulsion Deorbit Re-entry Velocity Experiment); and,
- electric Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs);
It is also flying a 3D printed part - another first to fly in space!
Why smartphones
STRaND-1 is a 30cm cubesat weighing 3.5kg. At the heart of the satellite is a Google Nexus One smartphone with Android operating system.
Smartphones are highly advanced and already incorporate several key features which are essential to a satellite such as cameras, radio links, accelerometers and high performance computer processors. All they lack are solar panels and propulsion.
:-)
How Google Nexus One will be used
STRaND nanosatellite project has selected 3 winning applications, which are unique, opening new avenues of scientific research and even for public participation.
iTesa is an application that will record the magnitude of the magnetic field around the phone during orbit. Used as a precursor to further scientific studies, such as detecting Alfven waves (magnetic oscillations in our upper atmosphere), the iTEsa app could provide proof of principle.
The STRAND Data app will show satellite telemetry on the smartphone's display which can be imaged by an additional camera on-board. This will enable new graphical telemetry to interpret trends.
The 360 app will take images using the smartphone's camera and use the technology onboard the spacecraft to establish STRaND-1's position.
The public will be able to request their own unique satellite image of Earth through a website, where images can be seen on a map showing where they have been acquired. For more information www.360app.co.uk
The Scream in Space app will make full use of the smartphone's speakers. Testing the theory 'in space no-one can hear you scream, made popular in the 1979 film 'Alien', the app will allow the public to upload videos of themselves screaming in a creative way to an allocated website. The most popular videos will be played on the phone while in orbit and the scream recorded using the smartphone's microphone. What are you waiting for? Go to www.screaminspace.com
Live video of launch from Chennai
With so many firsts, I decided to capture for posterity the launch of the Google One Nexus into space from my home.
What better way to capture the launch of an Android OS satellite than on an Android OS phone, sitting at home?
So enjoy the video.
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