Engadget

NASA app goes 2.0, the safest launch this century

James Trew — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:48:00 EST

When we're not looking up at the stars, we're likely looking at a screen, so any chance to combine those two is greeted with open arms. As it happens, we've been thumbing NASA's iOS app for a while, and now it's finally gotten an update. Users of the iPhone / iPod version can enjoy -- among other things -- a new interface, weather forecasts in the sighting opportunity sections and printing support. So, if you missed the action this morning, perhaps you can print off a memento?

NASA app goes 2.0, the safest launch this century originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wanna take a trip into space and back on a solid rocket booster? (video)

Daniel Cooper — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:47:00 EST

Ever reminisce about NASA's space shuttle launches by watching them on its Ascent iOS movie app? The footage was shot by cameras attached to the solid rocket boosters that pushed the craft heavenward and provides one of the best ways of experiencing what all that rocket thrust feels like. We're still getting over the intestine-tugging video and in awe of those who strapped themselves in for the trip, but soon there could be a high-def version to make those charred thermal tiles even more intimidating. Plans are afoot to put all of these clips out on a Blu-Ray, but only if NASA can find a partner willing to distribute it.

Wanna take a trip into space and back on a solid rocket booster? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video)

Mat Smith — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:55:00 EST

We've already gleaned that the extra-terrestrial edition of Angry Birds will involve some sort of gameplay departure from the add-on style of previous versions, but gameplay-wise there's been less information. Fortunately, makers Rovio has now leaked out a very brief taster in its lastest video. You'll have to skip to the three-minute marker, but you'll get a glimpse at some anti-gravity avians, bubbles, explosions and atmosphere re-entries. Take a look for yourself after the break.

[Thanks Ville]

Continue reading Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video)

Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASA gets in on the app store action, keeps the pickins slim

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:02:00 EST

Seriously, who is left without an app store at this point? Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA, even the US Army has an app outlet to call their own. Now multi-national corporations and DARPA are being joined by NASA, which opened its own depot called apps@NASA over the holiday weekend. The goal is to provide employees and contractors with access to agency data and systems on the go. For the moment, there ain't much there. WebTADS is a time tracking app available for iPhone and BlackBerry, while NASA Contacts is, well, a contacts app for looking up the deets of your aerospace colleagues, but it's an iOS only affair. We expect the selection will be expanded soon and, fingers crossed, Android and WP7 will be added to the mix in the not too distant future.

NASA gets in on the app store action, keeps the pickins slim originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SatelliteAR Android app now tracks falling UARS, helps you avoid being smooshed

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:13:00 EST

You may have a better chance of winning the lottery or running into Captain Kirk at the mall, but when it comes to being impaled with pieces of the now defunct Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite as it plummets towards Earth, it's better to be safe than sorry. The SatelliteAR Android app has added a temporary feature that gives stargazers the ability to monitor this space junk's trajectory to avoid impact when it re-enters the atmosphere sometime later today. NASA has assured us that the bus-sized satellite won't land anywhere in North America, but if it touches down at night, people on the ground could witness a pretty sweet light show wherever it does land. Android users determined to avoid a Wicked Witch of the East-like fate can download the app at the source link below and check out the video demo after the break.

Continue reading SatelliteAR Android app now tracks falling UARS, helps you avoid being smooshed

SatelliteAR Android app now tracks falling UARS, helps you avoid being smooshed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone rides Atlantis into space, where no one can hear its ringtone scream

Jesse Hicks — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 07:33:00 EST

Smartphones have been going to space for a while now -- well, technically near space in most cases -- but in decidedly DIY ways, including a "shuttle" made out of Styrofoam beer coolers. But the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to complete its final voyage with a pair of space-ready iPhone 4's aboard. After docking with the International Space Station, astronauts use the phones, not to become Foursquare's Mayor of Space, it seems, but to run an app called SpaceLab for iOS. Designed by Houston's Odyssey Space Research, the app contains a number of navigation tools that will test the iPhone cameras and gyroscopes, alongside a self-monitoring experiment that will reveal the effects of radiation on the devices. The Space Shuttle launch is tentatively scheduled for July 8, but in the meantime even earth-bound astro-nots (aww) can pick up the app for $1 by following the source link.

iPhone rides Atlantis into space, where no one can hear its ringtone scream originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASA launches free iPad app

Laura June — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:25:00 EST

NASA's launched a free version of its app for iPad, and it's called NASA app HD. From the looks of it, the app is pretty content rich, and though it's very simple -- there aren't many bells and whistles -- it works well and is pretty attractive. In addition to browsing NASA's latest news, there are sections dedicated to the agency's calendar of activities, a map you can use to locate NASA centers throughout the country, and information pages on each body in the solar system, as well as detailed sections for people who work at NASA, the rest of the universe, and the history of the organization. We've yet to fully dig into the app, but for anyone interested in space and space travel who also happens to own an iPad, it's probably a must. We've pull some screenshots for you -- they're in the gallery below if you want to check them out. The app is available now.

Gallery: NASA app HD

NASA launches free iPad app originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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