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  Spacecraft 3D: NASA 3D iOS (iPad, iPhone) app

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Author Topic:   Spacecraft 3D: NASA 3D iOS (iPad, iPhone) app
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-12-2012 07:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
NASA 3D app gives public ability to experience robotic space travel

A NASA-created application that brings some of the agency's robotic spacecraft to life in 3-D now is available for free on the iPhone and iPad.

Called Spacecraft 3D, the app uses animation to show how robotic spacecraft can maneuver 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."

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."

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.

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 07-12-2012 07:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here’s one of the GRAIL spacecraft seemingly sitting on my desk! You can get right beside it. Terrific.

AR Grail 400

Here's the Mars science laboratory Curiosity. Is it on Mars or my desk?! You can raise arms, drive and turn. Fantastic stuff. And the sharpness of the Retina display is very noticeable on these graphics. Well done NASA!

AR Curiosity 400

nasamad
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Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 07-14-2012 11:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for nasamad   Click Here to Email nasamad     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Put this on our iPad this morning, it's brilliant! Best use of augmented VR I have seen so far.

GoesTo11
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Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 07-14-2012 11:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Apparently NASA is determined to absolutely nuke me into converting to the Apple platform with my next phone/computer upgrade.

/resistance is futile..?

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 09-01-2012 09:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This app was updated to V1.5 yesterday. From the iTunes app store:
Added four new spacecraft. Feast your eyes on Cassini, Voyager, Dawn and Juno!
As posted above this is a superb visual tool and immediately draws in others to talk about the technology in both the app and the spacecraft. Kudos JPL!

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