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Nexus S To Serve As Brain For 3 Robots Aboard the ISS

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-bid-twenty-quatloos-that-they're-all-untrainable dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Given the NFC capabilities in Nexus S, NASA researchers are about to deploy them on the International Space Station. Two Nexus S phones will be installed in robotic floating orbs called Spheres (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). They will be performing a variety of everyday tasks like taking inventory and inspecting equipment, which will free up the human crew members for other duties. Currently the Spheres are in testing mode, as the video shows, but are expected to be up and running by the end of the year."

11 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. well ok by Osgeld · · Score: 2

    But I thought we were still using Intel 80386SX chips in NASA cause apparently radiation hardening takes decades, but yet a consumer grade phone is fine?

    either someone is full of shit on the radiation hardening, or that's one fucking amazing phone!

    1. Re:well ok by Scragglykat · · Score: 2

      I think radiation hardening is available free from Amazon Appstore today.

    2. Re:well ok by Tynin · · Score: 2

      It could be that these are simply prototypes and if the concept works out they then bother to spend the extra cash for something that is radiation hardened. Seems like it would be a much cheaper approach to take.

    3. Re:well ok by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 2

      The Spheres will be operating strictly within the crew area, I'm sure a phone can handle more radiation than an astronaut can.

      Right. Because the type of radiation that could bump a register is not likely to even register a bump in a person. Maybe you should learn *why* radiation hardening is important. Hint: It's not because of cancer.

    4. Re:well ok by TrisexualPuppy · · Score: 2

      Sure, but can you trust it? Think about it.

      Radiation could make a sphere like this behave like a sphere like this.

      Just think about it.

    5. Re:well ok by bonch · · Score: 2

      Is that why space shuttle Atlantis launched today carrying two iPhone 4s running SpaceLab for iOS?

  2. iPhone is being tested on this shuttle flight by SuperKendall · · Score: 2

    But I thought we were still using Intel 80386SX chips in NASA cause apparently radiation hardening takes decades, but yet a consumer grade phone is fine?

    The jury is still out but the devices are being looked at for non-critical tasks - the shuttle mission that just went up includes two iPhones that have been certified to go into space, and will be tested there to see how they hold out against the radiation:

    http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/06/iphone-space-shuttle/

    Since components are similar across many devices, I'm sure if the iPhone can hold out the Android devices will be OK too.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:iPhone is being tested on this shuttle flight by rvw · · Score: 3, Funny

      But I thought we were still using Intel 80386SX chips in NASA cause apparently radiation hardening takes decades, but yet a consumer grade phone is fine?

      The jury is still out but the devices are being looked at for non-critical tasks - the shuttle mission that just went up includes two iPhones that have been certified to go into space, and will be tested there to see how they hold out against the radiation:

      http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/06/iphone-space-shuttle/

      I bet this is all part of some secret agreement over the use of the i in iSS.

  3. You Nexus, Huh? by cstacy · · Score: 3, Funny

    I just do eyes...

  4. LEO isn't that hostile an environment by erice · · Score: 4, Informative

    ISS is in low Earth orbit, below the Van Alan belts. The radiation environment isn't that severe. A study performed in the early 90's found that off the shelf electronics were fine for LEO. For geosync and higher orbits, minor shielding was needed to achieve reliable operation.

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Frsta.royalsocietypublishing.org%2Fcontent%2F361%2F1802%2F193.full.pdf&rct=j&q=low%20earth%20orbit%20radiation%20environment&ei=BmgXTrarKIa0sAPB3s3uDQ&usg=AFQjCNHCt82GlFwEYW4z90dov1umXWOh_Q&sig2=O5-vlK7lpRbKEBSzrgSSsw&cad=rja

  5. Huey, Dewey, and Louie - awesome by rjejr · · Score: 2

    As a big Silent Running fan I'm happy to know Huey, Dewey and Louie are a reality.