NASA has made cosmic waves with its latest launch, but this out-of-this-world bit of space news never has to leave earth to rocket to the top of the popularity charts.
Wow, that’s a lot of puns.
Spacecraft 3D, a free app for iPhone and iPad brings the space agency’s robotic spacecraft to life and provides a nerd reference of epic proportions. The app shows how spacecraft maneuver through the void of space and use all their arms, sensors, cameras, and other on-board equipment.
At launch, the app features two missions: Curiosity, set to touch down on Mars Aug. 6, and the two GRAIL spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, which are 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 uses augmented reality, letting you put the robots into any setting that your camera can see. We checked the app out. You have to print out an AR target, which lets the app interact with the camera on your device. The graphics are pretty amazing.
NASA plans to offer several updates for the app as new craft are added. Cassini, currently orbiting Saturn, Dawn, in the asteroid belt, and the legendary Voyagers are next.
Right now, the app is only for Apple devices, but an Android app is coming soon, NASA said.