NASA To Send Microsoft’s HoloLens Into Space

Microsoft’s HoloLens headset is set to be sent into space by virtue of a partnership between Microsoft and NASA, with the HoloLens to provide virtual aid for astronauts.A pair of the devices will launch on SpaceX’s seventh commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 28, NASA has advised, with Microsoft and NASA teaming up for Project Sidekick, aiming to reduce crew training requirements and increase the efficiency at which astronauts can work in space.

Sidekick is part of a larger partnership between NASA and Microsoft exploring the applications of holographic computing in space exploration, with the two earlier in the year announcing a collaboration to develop software called OnSight, a new technology to enable scientists to work virtually on Mars using HoloLens tech.

Remote Expert Mode employs Skype to allow a ground operator to see what a crew member sees, providing real-time guidance and drawing annotations into the crew member’s environment to coach him or her through a task, while Procedure Mode augments standalone procedures with animated holographic illustrations displayed on top of the objects with which the crew is interacting.

The crew members will test and verify the software and hardware functionality in a standalone mode after the devices have arrived at the space station, with a second set of devices to be delivered on a future mission, which will test and verify Sidekick functionality with network connectivity to test the Remote Expert Mode.

NASA stated it expects astronauts on the station will first use Sidekick by the end of the year.