Last week, Google made headlines by sending their Nexus S smartphone into space via a weather balloon. This ambitious project was not just about sending smartphones into the stratosphere; it also included sending a couple of their beloved Android mascots on the journey. This unique experiment aimed to test the durability and functionality of the Nexus S in extreme conditions, as well as to capture some stunning visuals from the edge of space.
In the videos below, you will see the Android mascot traveling around in space. The second video provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Google orchestrated this fascinating project, detailing the steps they took to send both the Android mascots and the Nexus S smartphones into space.
The Journey of the Android Mascots
The Android mascots’ journey to space was not just a publicity stunt; it was a well-thought-out experiment. Google engineers equipped the mascots with GPS devices and cameras to capture their journey. The weather balloon carried the mascots and the Nexus S smartphones to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet, where they experienced temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius. The mascots were designed to withstand these harsh conditions, and the cameras provided a unique perspective of the Earth from the edge of space.
The footage captured by the cameras showed the mascots floating in the stratosphere, with the curvature of the Earth visible in the background. This experiment demonstrated the durability of the Nexus S smartphones and provided valuable data on how electronic devices perform in extreme conditions.
Technical Aspects and Challenges
Sending devices into space is no small feat. The project required meticulous planning and execution. One of the primary challenges was ensuring that the weather balloon could carry the payload, which included the Nexus S smartphones, Android mascots, and the necessary equipment for tracking and recording the journey. The balloon had to be robust enough to reach the desired altitude without bursting prematurely.
Another challenge was the recovery of the devices after the balloon burst. The team used GPS tracking to locate the devices once they landed back on Earth. The data collected from the journey provided insights into the performance of the Nexus S in low-pressure and low-temperature environments.
This experiment also highlighted the potential for using smartphones in scientific research. The Nexus S smartphones were equipped with various sensors that recorded data throughout the journey. This data can be used to study atmospheric conditions and other scientific phenomena.
Head on over to the Google Mobile Blog for more details of the Android mascots’ trip to space. The blog provides additional information on the technical aspects of the project and the data collected during the journey.
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