Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Pocket PCs In Space
Posted by Brad Adrian in "NEWS" @ 04:36 PM
I've always thought that Pocket PCs were "out of this world," but soon that will be more than just a figure of speech.
"HP plans to launch its HP iPAQ [5550] Pocket PCs into outer space onboard TransOrbital's TrailBlazer spacecraft, the first commercial mission to gain approval from U.S. authorities to explore, photograph and land on the moon, later this year"
And what role, you ask, will the Pocket PCs play?
"The handheld device will integrate with the TrailBlazer systems on board the spacecraft to enable TransOrbital to effortlessly synchronize and share data while in space, during transit to the moon and while orbiting the moon."
Alright, I was okay with the idea until I saw the word "synchronize." ;) Seriously, I think this is pretty cool and represents a true recognition of the computing power of these devices. And, TrailBlazer will make even greater use of Pocket PCs on subsequent flights, on which they will provide wireless communication for cameras mounted outside the spacecraft.
I can't help but wonder, though...If these are unmanned flights, who's going to stick the stylus into the tiny hole to do the soft resets?
"HP plans to launch its HP iPAQ [5550] Pocket PCs into outer space onboard TransOrbital's TrailBlazer spacecraft, the first commercial mission to gain approval from U.S. authorities to explore, photograph and land on the moon, later this year"
And what role, you ask, will the Pocket PCs play?
"The handheld device will integrate with the TrailBlazer systems on board the spacecraft to enable TransOrbital to effortlessly synchronize and share data while in space, during transit to the moon and while orbiting the moon."
Alright, I was okay with the idea until I saw the word "synchronize." ;) Seriously, I think this is pretty cool and represents a true recognition of the computing power of these devices. And, TrailBlazer will make even greater use of Pocket PCs on subsequent flights, on which they will provide wireless communication for cameras mounted outside the spacecraft.
I can't help but wonder, though...If these are unmanned flights, who's going to stick the stylus into the tiny hole to do the soft resets?
