NASA to launch Google powered smartphones as space satellite
Submitted by Rachna Pandya on August 31, 2012 - 1:18pm
A new NASA project targets to send a 10 ounce satellite into space within a year. The satellite will bear a size not more than a hot beverage cup and will be specifically powered by Android smartphones reveled the space giant.
New satellite worth $3,500 only
As demand for space satellites has increased manifold worldwide since the couple of decades, NASA was conscientiously working on building low-cost satellites and with PhoneSat it marks the invention of a satellite worth $3,500 only.
Scientists based at the Armes Research Centre have been intensely involved in mocking up various low-cost satellite models. The idea is to keep the manufacturing cost significantly lower by assembling common and easily available components and making the technology more compact than ever.
Salient features of PhoneSat
PhoneSat – the artificial satellite built from consumer hardware – consists of radio beacon, cameras, batteries, watchdog circuits and of course smartphone components for the satellite.
To quote what NASA maintained in its report, 'Out of the box smartphones already offer a wealth of capabilities needed for satellite systems, including fast processors, versatile operating systems, multiple miniature sensors, high-resolution cameras, GPS receivers, and several radios.'
If NASA implements its current plan, three PhoneSats would be launch in the space to capture pictures of the earth with high-resolution cameras.
Contrasting to the launch of normal satellite which costs as much as $500 million, the smartphone satellite launch has been estimated worth $50,000 only.
Again, if the things go correct, soon NASA will allow anyone to build up their own satellites and send it to the space.
