NASA & Microsoft HoloLens Collaboration: Project Sidekick
Project Sidekick is NASA’s new project, using new commercial technology to send astronauts to the International Space Station ( ISS ). Project Sidekick is a collaboration between NASA and Microsoft.
Sidekick uses Mircosoft Hololens VR headset to assist astronauts to work off the Earth. A pair of HoloLens was equipped in SpaceX’s seventh commercial re-supply mission that had launched on June 28.
As seen from the video, NASA and Microsoft engineers tested Project Sidekick on NASA’s Weightless Wonder C9 jet. Sidekick will use Microsoft HoloLens to aid to astronauts working on the International Space Station with virtual reality technology.
The International Space Station ( ISS )
“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. This new technology could also empower future explorers requiring greater autonomy on the journey to Mars.”
Sam Scimemi ( Director of the ISS program @ NASA HQ in Washington )
“Our team is excited to be building virtual and mixed reality tools that will make our explorers more efficient and effective”
Jeff Norris ( Project Leader of Project Sidekick )
“Microsoft HoloLens is about transforming the ways you create, connect, and explore, Sidekick is a prime example of an application for which we envisioned HoloLens being used – unlocking new potential for astronauts and giving us all a new perspective on what is possible with holographic computing.”
Alex Kipman ( Technical Fellow – Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft )
After the HoloLens arrived to the International Space Station, on-board astronauts will test and verify the software and hardware functionality in a standalone mode. A second set of devices to be delivered on a future mission will test and verify Sidekick functionality with network connectivity to test the Remote Expert Mode. NASA expects astronauts on the station will first use Sidekick by the end of 2015.
The Sidekick project is part of a larger partnership formed by NASA and Microsoft to explore applications of holographic computing in space exploration. Earlier this year, NASA and Microsoft announced a collaboration to develop software called OnSight, a new technology that will enable scientists to work virtually on Mars using the same HoloLens technology.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, led the development of Sidekick and OnSight. NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston led testing and certification of Sidekick for use on-board International Space Station.
The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology and human innovation that enables us to demonstrate new technologies and make research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The space station remains the springboard to NASA’s next giant leap in exploration, including future missions to an asteroid and Mars.
Content Source: NASA
