NASA sending headset to ISS to beam back to earth what astronauts see in space

NASA has made arrangements to let scientists on earth have a good idea about what astronauts see in the space. Microsoft’s virtual reality headset will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to send data back on earth. NASA and Microsoft have joined hands to develop a new project called Sidekick for which a commercial technology will be used. This project will ultimately help empower astronauts aboard the ISS

Launch of a pair of the tech giant’s devices called HoloLens is set for June 28. SpaceX’s seventh commercial resupply mission will piggyback the device to the space station.

“HoloLens and other virtual and mixed reality devices are cutting-edge technologies that could help drive future exploration and provide new capabilities to the men and women conducting critical science on the International Space Station”, said Sam Scimemi, director of the ISS programme at the NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Sidekick will provide station crews assistance when they are in need, paving the way for reducing crew training requirements and improving work efficiency in space.

Remote Expert Mode is the first to help a ground operator see what a crew member sees through Skype. Procedure Mode is the second mode, which overlays animated images to reduce the time on training missions. It augments standalone procedures with animated holographic illustrations displayed on top of the objects with which the crew is interacting.

Microsoft’s new mission statement says the company’s new goal is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.