By 
So you thought the Nexus One was dead? The original Nexus phone will never die! Or, so says NASA, anyway. If you don’t remember, NASA chose the Nexus One to be the world’s first smartphone in space to be used as a nano satellite. It has actually been a few years in the making, as extensive tests had to be made to make sure the Nexus One could withstand the harsh conditions of space.
The Nexus One was put into vacuum chambers and tested in a wide temperature range to make sure it could make it into orbit without melting. Welp, it passed, and now it’s floating in space. So what, exactly, will this iconic phone be up there to do? For now, we only know that its main purpose is to take photos from space and collect satellite data, and beam that information back to the curious souls here on Earth.
The satellite will utilize the 360 App to do its bidding, and before too long we’ll be able to look at the various photos it takes on the 360 App Facebook page. It won’t stop there, though — users will be able to request their own snapshots of space, but details have yet to come out regarding that exciting opportunity just yet.
We always joke about how Android is on everything from toasters to refrigerators, and from cars to watches, but after getting the first Android-powered satellite into the atmosphere it’s safe to say that Android can and will be used on absolutely anything. Take a look at the video above to see what went into this historic launch by Surrey Satellite Technology.
[via HTC]
One more well-deserved happy memory for the team that made this phone. Congrats to all.
One question – will they load the song “Benson Arizona” onto the device and play it from space? How ’bout if we ask real nicely?
I kind of wonder why they didn’t use a Nexus 4?
On another note, I hope they put a case on it! Can’t have it getting scratched up by space rocks.
long live Nexus….
Nexus One….a GREAT phone, still one of the best designs imo.
Luv’d my Nexus One, but not sure I would have chose it for its camera…unless they upgraded it
I don’t know, but I would assume the nexus would be interfaced as a controller for an external camera. You’re right, even with a modified lens there’s no sense in relying on a phone cam sensor for such a project.
At least no-one here is asking why they didn’t use an iPhone! LOL!!
Why a nexus one? Why not send a nexus 4? Or even a GalNex!?
Um.. The post above actually explained why.
“extensive tests had to be made to make sure the Nexus One could withstand the harsh conditions of space.”
It took this long for the nexus one. If they did the nexus 4, they would have to restart testing. etc…
For those asking “why not a Nexus 4/Galaxy Nexus/etc”, it’s because of the lead time in testing and deployment. As the article states the handset had to be run through batteries of tests to ensure that it would withstand the rigours of the space environment – vacuum, extremes of temperature, the power supply situation and so on. When it has been established that it can survive all this, then they can start incorporating it into the design of a satellite. It’s not a weekend project! ;-)
When that has all been achieved, it had to be scheduled for a launch, the rest of the cargo space sold (they weren’t just sending a rocket up for this little thing) and successfully deployed before it is newsworthy – and that’s where we’re at now.
Just realized you posted this. Thanks for the much better explanation. :)
Jeez.. I’m afraid to see how much the data roaming charges are, let alone the data plan! LOL
We already have one Nexus One up in space.
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2013/02/android-smartphone-satellite.html
That’s a different article about the same project.
Well this one launched couple of days back from a ISRO PSLV launch vehicle, i believe above article talks about NASA
Wouldn’t it be the first smartphone out of the atmosphere? Not in the atmosphere?
Actually I don’t think NASA has anything to do with this project. It’s a British effort. It’s hitching a ride on a rocket being launched in India. http://www.sstl.co.uk/News-and-Events?story=2117