Microsoft and NASA are collaborating to make life easier for astronauts in space and on the ground. This project is called Project Sidekick. Sidekick will use new computer technology innovations to reach out to astronauts at ISS. For those of us who’ll never blast off, that means International Space Station.
Assisting in Project Sidekick is Microsoft’s technology called HoloLens. These lenses will give virtual aid to those working off and for the Earth. It’s expected HoloLens will be used on Space X’s next resupply mission to ISS on June 28. NASA leaders believe HoloLens will provide new capabilities for those conducting research science on the ISS. Microsoft and NASA tested Project Sidekick, which goes hand in hand with HoloLens, on the Weightless Wonder C9 jet. Project Sidekick’s first mode is Remote Expert Mode. With Skype and these lenses, the ground crew can see exactly what the space crew sees. As of right now, they can only communicate this verbally and orally. The second mode is Procedure Mode. This would lessen training time for astronauts and be critical for missions deep into the solar system, and better help communications through difficult operations. Project Sidekick will have it’s first real test starting July 21. That’s when NASA’s NEEMO [NASA Extre Environment Mission Operations] begins. That’s when a team of astronauts and engineers will spend two weeks underground in an underwater research station called Aquarius. Isn’t space and sea exploration the exact opposite? Microsoft and NASA believe oceanic exploration is a good test for space exploration.
This is just one of Microsoft’s coming innovations. I don’t know if this will work or not, but there is a huge interest in space exploration these days. They’re even people willing to spend big money setting up permanent space colonies on the moon and Mars. So Microsoft’s interest is timely. Will Project Sidekick and succeed?