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| July 12, 2012 | NASA’s 3D app allows iPhone users to experience robotic space travel | | Washington: An application created by NASA that brings some of the agency’s robotic
spacecraft
to life in 3-D is now available for free on the iPhone and iPad. Called Spacecraft
3D, the app uses animation to show how spacecrafts can manoeuvre and manipulate
their outside components. Presently, the new app features two NASA missions, the
Curiosity rover that will touch down on Mars Aug. 6 at 1:31 a.m. EDT, and the
twin GRAIL spacecraft Ebb and Flow currently orbiting the moon. “With Spacecraft
3D and a mobile device, you can put high definition, three-dimensional models
literally into the hands of kids of all ages,” said Stephen Kulczycki, deputy
director for communications and education at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL) in Pasadena , Calif. Spacecraft 3D is among the first of what are known
as augmented-reality apps for Apple devices. Augmented-reality provides users
a view of a real-world environment where elements are improved by additional input.
Spacecraft 3D uses the iPhone or iPad camera to overlay information on the device’s
main screen. The app instructs users to print an augmented reality target on a
standard sheet of paper. When the device’s camera is pointed at the target, the
spacecraft chosen by the user materializes on screen. “Let’s say you want to get
an idea what our Curiosity Mars rover is all about,” said Kevin Hussey, manager
of visualization technology at JPL. “Like Hollywood directors sizing up their
next shot, you move your camera-equipped iPad or iPhone in and out, up and down
and the spacecraft perspective moves with you. It is a great way to study the
3-D nature of NASA spacecraft,” he explained. Spacecraft 3D also has a feature
where you can take your own augmented-reality picture of the rover or GRAIL spacecraft.
You can even make a self-portrait with a spacecraft, putting yourself or someone
else in the picture. “In the near future, we will incorporate the Cassini spacecraft,
which is orbiting Saturn, the Dawn spacecraft, which is deep in the heart of the
asteroid belt, and the Voyagers, which are right now at the very edge of our solar
system,” said Hussey. “Looking down the road, we’ve got a veritable solar system
full of spacecraft to work with,” he added. Spacecraft 3D currently is only available
for Apple formats, but should be available on other formats in the near future.
The detailed computer models of the spacecraft used in Spacecraft 3D originally
were generated for NASA’s “Eyes on the Solar System” web application. “Eyes on
the Solar System” is a 3-D environment full of NASA mission data that allows anyone
to explore the cosmos from their computer.
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