The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Microsoft have collaborated for "Destination: Mars." This exhibit will utilize Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality headset. It allows NASA to bring Mars to Earth.
NASA And Microsoft's HoloLens AR
This is not the first time NASA and Microsoft have joined forces. Project Manager Jeff Norris of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory revealed that Microsoft has been helping. They work on building applications. These will benefit the engineers. They will use it for the design and assembly of spacecraft.
Norris said that mixed reality technologies will be useful in space explorations.
The tech giant has also helped NASA develop the OnSight software. According to Digital Trends, it allowed NASA to virtually work on Mars. They used the Microsoft HoloLens to achieve that. They have been using the OnSight in mission operations.
The Curiosity rover provides real data for the tool. It will generate a 3D version of Mars. Hence, the first-person perspective of the Curiosity.
HoloLens In Mars
Microsoft's HoloLens produces a Mars landscape hologram. The HoloLens AR user will see such view. Furthermore, the environment is on a fixed point. The user can virtually walk across Mars' surface. It lets them examine Mars naturally.
The Curiosity rover will use the OnSight in late 2016. Apparently, NASA will also use HoloLens in its exhibit.
The Destination: Mars AR Experience
According to the Kennedy Space Center, visitors will be able to walk on Mars. The HoloLens will display real imagery from NASA's Curiosity rover. The Destination: Mars exhibit will also have a Buzz Aldrin holographic guide.
The rover's driver Erisa Hines will lead the visitors to different sites on Mars. Specifically, they will see where exciting discoveries took place. The exhibit will only be available until January 1, 2017. It is a pop-up theater at the main visitor complex in the Kennedy Space Center.
A reservation is needed, though. As such, it is first-come-first-served. The exhibit is also not available all day. Furthermore, it's suitable for those 13 years and older.
