Smartphones orbit satellites such low-cost testing of the 21st century ... - Atlantico.fr

greatest innovations are sometimes very simple in principle. NASA decided to test a new form of low-cost satellites. To do this, it uses simple smartphones, she launched into space last Sunday. The three phones are in orbit around the Earth, and participate in an experimental program on satellite ultra low cost.

According to the specifications, each satellite should cost between 3,500 and 7,000 dollars. For this, the engineers in charge of the project used the smartphone HTC Google Nexus One Android.

These

“phonesats” have (almost) nothing to envy to the most advanced satellites are equipped with sensors (GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer), means of communication, an operating system (Android) and they are able to take pictures. The goal of NASA is determining whether an object can become everyday consumer in one way or another, useful for observing our planet.

Baptized

Alexander Graham Bell and these smartphones are “old” Nexus One which were barely modified to adapt to the space research. NASA simply grafted a large battery, more powerful radio and tidy all in a metal cube about 10 cm square. The result looks very encouraging:. They seem better withstand the cold and radiation than had been anticipated engineers

These

phonesats should fall to Earth after about two weeks of mission because they are at a relatively low altitude and they do not ship engine-booster.

Lu Clubic.com