'Spacecraft 3D', the new 'app' for NASA to interact with their ships

This week, NASA has launched a new mobile application that will allow users to interact with some of the external components of spacecraft.

The application 'Spacecraft' has been developed by scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California) and uses animations to show how they can maneuver and manipulate some robot spacecraft that are part of the project.

They also note from the space agency, "is one of the first mobile applications based on augmented reality."

By the time the application is only available to view images of the sister ships 'Ebb' and 'Flow', which orbit the Moon. To these are added from the 6th of August, the spacecraft 'Curiosity', which will reach Mars on that day.

Enhanced Vision

The application will allow users to have a direct view on the real-world physical environment enhanced with virtual elements themselves.

"The user can move the camera phone or tablet at will and get the ship to move with him," said Kevin Hussey's Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA.

Scientists hope that this application allows to know the complexity of spacecraft both among experts and amateurs to space research. This development allows anyone to see parts of space ships transiting the space agency.

Stephen Kulczycky, NASA spokesman, said that with the application and a mobile device "you can put in the hands of any three-dimensional models of HD." It has also recognized that it is a "super" form of studying a ship in 3D space agency.

This project is expected to be extended soon to other spacecraft and the probes 'Cassini', 'Dawn' and 'Voyagers' as well as the application is available in different formats.