Project Sidekick: NASA Sending Microsoft's HoloLens to Space This Weekend

We have made great strides in technology in the past few decades, and yet, each new one continues to surprise us even more. From Google’s Quantum Computer to Brain Hacking, it seems as a dawn of a new era.

After binding the real world with the augmented reality with its innovative HoloLens headset, Microsoft has again teamed up with NASA and announced Project Sidekick on Thursday. This new project would allow the astronauts on the International Space Station to communicate and get a better working arena using holographic visuals.

Microsoft’s CEO has announced the Project Sidekick as ‘Unbelievably Cool’. This is not the first time when Microsoft and NASA have collaborated on a space-bound project.

Check out: Microsoft Set to Help NASA in Mars Exploration With HoloLens

The Project Sidekick can be set in two different modes. One is Remote Expert Mode which uses Skype to help communicate the astronauts onboard the ISS with the ground operators. The scientists on the ground would be seeing with the same clarity and depth perception as the astronaut is.

Here’s a video depicting testing of the Project Sidekick in low gravity at NASA’s Weightless Wonder C9 Jet.

Second is Procedure Mode where the astronauts see holographic images of necessary information with the crew.

Director of the ISS program at NASA headquarters stated after the announcement of Project Sidekick:

HoloLens and other virtual and mixed reality devices are cutting edge technologies that could help drive future exploration and provide new capabilities to the men and women conducting critical science on the International Space Station.

The teaming up of Microsoft and NASA will help the astronauts to work with greater efficiency and precision in the lands of unknown. We can see more of these collaborations among tech giants in future to expedite mankind’s hope to reveal the mysteries unknown.

Do You agree?? Let us Know in Comments below.

Also See: NASA’s Physics Violating Impossible Engine Closer to Reality after New Tests