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Android Phones At the Edge of Space

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-can-see-my-house-from-here dept.

garymortimer writes "It seems like the Google crowd are really keen to replicate what many in the small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) world have been playing with for the last couple of years. It really will be interesting to see the UAS apps that must be coming for the Nexus S. Quoting the Google Mobile Blog: 'Recently, we traveled to Ione, CA and sent seven payloads up, up, and away into near space, each equipped with a Nexus S. We took some cues from others who have sent homemade weather balloon rigs far up, and we wanted an opportunity to collect some interesting data about the sensors in Nexus S – GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. We also couldn't resist what looked like a great way to spend a weekend. Sending the balloons up also gave us an opportunity to capture some stunning imagery and videos of Earth.'"

8 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Re:hooray for android by Wingsy · · Score: 4, Informative

    Don't know if you're being sarcastic or not, but just in case:

    http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/10/13/father-son-team-launch-balloon-with-hd-camera-iphone-into-space/

    --
    If I didn't have absolutely NOTHING to do, I wouldn't be here.
  2. Re:Yawn by Albanach · · Score: 2

    20 miles up? You're not in space until you reach an altitude of 62 miles (the Kármán line).

    Is there any chance that would be the reason they never claimed to have gone into space? The article war pretty clear about the altitude and used the term "near space'.

    Yes, others have done it before. I'm sure each and every one of them will also be delighted to see some big vendor support for their exploration.

  3. Re:Yawn by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Though entirely offtopic - I found your post more insightful when I replaced the following words. data=life, cellphone=activities, space=twitter, orbit=someone's face.

  4. A Request by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear Google,

    Please send all Android phones to space and make the earth a better iPlace.

    Signed,

    iFans.

  5. It's not supposed to work at altitude by Animats · · Score: 2, Informative

    Consumer GPS units aren't supposed to work above 60,000 feet or 1,000 MPH. Otherwise, they're subject to US military export controls. Of course, since Android units are probably made outside the US, that doesn't apply.

    (The US needs to give up on export controls in the electronics area. It's just a headache for US firms, and everybody else can get everything they need elsewhere.)

    1. Re:It's not supposed to work at altitude by artg · · Score: 3, Informative

      No, it's BOTH those things together - ie, a missile. Each is ok on it's own.

  6. Google backyard view by artg · · Score: 2

    Coming soon to a location near you ..

  7. Re:Too bad GPS on androids by unkiereamus · · Score: 2

    I can't believe someone would take the time to write such a ridiculous, meaningless and idiotic comment.

    Welcome to slashdot.

    --
    I needed a sig so people would know who I am, but I was too drunk to make something witty, so you get this instead.