NASA 3-D App Gives Public Ability to Experience Robotic Space Travel

Dwayne Brown

Headquarters, Washington  

202-358-1726

dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov

 

DC Agle/Guy Webster

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

818-393-9011/354-6278

agle@jpl.nasa.gov / guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov

WASHINGTON -- 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 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.

For more information on how to download the Spacecraft 3D app, visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spacecraft-3d/id541089908?mt=8.

For more information about Eyes on the Solar System and NASA robotic missions, visit http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eyes/.

For information on the GRAIL mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/grail.

For information on Curiosity, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl.

- end -

Government Apps and Mobile Sites

Visit USA.gov's Mobile Apps Gallery to access official government information and services from the palm of your hand. You can use the gallery to:

•           Browse mobile sites that are accessible from any device.

•           Search for apps and mobile sites on particular subjects, including travel, news, medical, and much more.

•           Download device-specific apps for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, and iPad users.

See the gallery at http://apps.usa.gov/.

The Child ID App for Androids

Today, to help observe National Missing Children’s Day, we’re launching a new version of our Child ID App built specifically for Android mobile phones. The application can be downloaded for free from the Android Apps section of Google Play.

The Child ID App, first released in August 2011 for iPhones, provides parents with an easy way to electronically store pictures and vital information about their children in case they go missing—whether it’s a toddler wandering away at the mall or a teen who has been snatched by a stranger.

Using the app, you can show pictures of your kids and provide physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers on the spot. You can also quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities with a few clicks. The app also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing.

To date, the iPhone version of the app has been downloaded more than 121,000 times.

Download the app at http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog/the-child-id-app-on-android?utm_campaign=email-Immediate&utm_medium=email&utm_source=extras&utm_content=101055

New NASA App 2.0 Released For iPhone, iPod Touch

Sonja Alexander                    

Headquarters, Washington                                        

202-358-1761

sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

 

Rachel Hoover

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.      

650-604-4789

rachel.hoover@nasa.gov

 

WASHINGTON -- NASA released Monday an updated version of the free NASA App for iPhone and iPod touch. The NASA App 2.0 includes several new features and a completely redesigned user interface that improves the way people can explore and experience NASA content on their mobile devices.

A team at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., completely rebuilt the NASA App for iPhone and iPod touch. It now has a fast and intuitive interface for the approximately 4.7 million people who've downloaded it so far. Other new features of NASA App 2.0 include weather forecasts in the spacecraft sighting opportunities section; maps, information and links to all of the NASA visitor centers; a section about NASA's programs, as well as the ability to print, save and access favorite items, and bookmark images. The NASA App 2.0 requires iOS 5.0 or later.

"This is our first major redesign of the NASA App for iPhone since our initial release in 2009," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at Ames. "We are really excited about this release and think users are going to love the new interface and features."

All of the NASA Apps for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android showcase a wealth of NASA content, including thousands of images, videos on-demand, live streaming of NASA Television, the agency's Third Rock online radio station, mission and launch information, featured content, stories and breaking news. Users also can find sighting opportunities for the International Space Station and track the position of the orbiting laboratory. App users also easily can share NASA content with their friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter or via email. In total, the apps have been downloaded by more than 8.8 million people.

iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and the Apple App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc. Use of these trademarks is subject to Apple permission. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google permission.

For more information about the new NASA App 2.0 for iPhone and other NASA Apps, visit http://www.nasa.gov/nasaapp.

- end -

NASA Releases Sector 33 Air Traffic Control Educational Game App

Beth Dickey
Headquarters, Washington

WASHINGTON -- NASA has released a new educational game with an air traffic control theme for Apple iPhone and iPad devices. The Sector 33 application is designed to challenge students in middle school and above to use basic math and problem-solving skills.

The application may be downloaded free of charge at http://www.nasa.gov/sector33.

An Android version of the app is in development and will be made available in the Android Marketplace in the coming months.

In the game the player acts as an air traffic controller guiding airplanes through a sector of airspace spanning Nevada and California. The player can adjust the planes' path and speed to safely reach certain spots in the sky in the fastest time possible while keeping the planes a specific distance from each other.

"Our hope is that Sector 33 will give students a sense of the importance of math in managing our nation's air traffic and, at the same time, interest them in pursuing a career in aeronautics," said Jaiwon Shin, NASA's associate administrator for aeronautics research in Washington.

The math-focused game also aligns with the NASA Office of Education's mission to engage students in activities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"Today's students respond positively to experiential learning," said Leland Melvin, NASA's associate administrator for education. "Using an interactive game to spark their interest, while at the same time teaching them fundamental math concepts, is a win-win scenario. It is a perfect way to help cultivate the next generation of engineers and technologists."

Sector 33 is based on Smart Skies Line Up With Math, an educational software title developed under the direction of NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and distributed in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Smart Skies has been used in middle school classrooms across the United States since 2005.

For more information about aeronautics research at NASA, visit http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov.

For more information about NASA's education programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education.

- end -

NASA's Online Radio Station Rocks Smartphones

Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington

Jessica Culler

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's Third Rock Radio just got mobile. Updates to the NASA App for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android now include a feature to listen to the agency's new online alternative rock radio station.

"Now you can listen to great music in the same app that still provides all of NASA's amazing content wherever you are," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Third Rock - America's Space Station launched with a new rock/indie/alternative format on Dec. 12, 2011. The station is being developed and operated at no cost to the government through a Space Act Agreement.

The NASA Apps showcase a wealth of NASA content, including images, videos on-demand, live streaming video from NASA Television, mission information, feature stories and breaking news. Users also can find sighting opportunities for the International Space Station and track the positions of spacecraft orbiting Earth. App users easily can share NASA content on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail.

For more information and to links download the apps, visit http://www.nasa.gov/nasaapp.

For more information on and to listen to Third Rock, visit http://www.nasa.gov/thirdrock.

- end -

NASA Debuts its New Video Program on NASA TV and the Web

John Yembrick
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – NASA launched a new high definition (HD) video program called "Destination Innovation" on Friday, Jan. 6 2012, that will air on NASA Television today at 1 p.m. PST. The program will also be featured on the agency's website, YouTube, Facebook and NASA’s apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.

The 10-minute program is filmed and produced by the video team at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, which is located in California’s Silicon Valley. Ames plays a critical role in virtually all NASA aeronautical and space exploration endeavors, conducting the research and developing the technologies that enable NASA missions.

"A lot of amazing work for the agency is being done at NASA Ames," said Ed Schilling, the show's producer. "Destination Innovation will showcase not only Ames, but the agency. We’re looking forward to sharing our stories with a larger audience."

The pilot episode features NASA’s Kepler mission. Ames is the lead center for Kepler’s search for Earth-size planets in the "habitable zone," the region in a planetary system where liquid water can exist on the surface of an orbiting planet. More programs will be added in the coming months.

To view Destination Innovation, visit http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=127882361.

For more information about NASA Ames, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ames.

For complete NASA TV downlink and scheduling information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

- end -