Outer space. The words alone conjure images of high-tech gadgetry and mind-blowing scientific research — that may be to claim, the longer term. But what if we told you our greatest and brightest cosmic explorers were still counting on arm-mounted post-it notes to steer them through spacewalks? Yes, that might be Staples in space. Luckily, Recon Instruments has partnered with NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies to check two variants of its GPS-enabled Micro Optics Display to be used in next-generation spacesuits, and get our space agency a wee bit in the direction of the P.K. Dick fantasy we hold dear. The customized goggles, which deliver information direct-to-eye, were put to task by the the Arizona desert-based team, undergoing a chain of simulated critical mission procedures. The result? a powerful thumbs-up approval from NASA (let alone deceased sci-fi authors), and a promise to assess the tech for further testing. Do you hear that sound, rocketeers? Silly us. For sure, you cannot — in space, nobody can hear our applause.
Recon Instruments’ Micro Optics Display technologies successfully evaluated by NASA for Next Generation Spacesuit applications
Recon Instruments’ customized solution for NASA’s annual field testing provided a watch-widening experience for the testers involved.
Recon Instruments is the multiple award-winning Vancouver-based technology company behind the world’s first GPS enabled Micro Optics Displays for alpine goggles. This technology served because the place to begin for 2 customized versions that were evaluated at NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS) within the Arizona desert.
The technology was tested by several subjects, including astronaut and engineering specialists who evaluated the goggles paying particular attention to how well the Micro Optics Display conveyed information. Currently, spacewalking astronauts depend upon a paper checklist worn at the arm, or from voice command from in the vehicle or ground control. Recon’s technology was loaded with procedures that guided the topics through a posh task that was representative of an experiment that will be deployed at the Moon or Mars.
The technology was warmly received by the testers during this early evaluation, with the demonstration showing the technology being successful in delivering the best information in a transparent and succinct manner, direct-to-eye.
“Recon Instruments’ display technology goggles allowed NASA to assess a possible option for displaying information to an astronaut wearing a spacesuit. The goggles were evaluated using simulated procedures and hardware mock-ups typical of expected EVA tasks. We learned that this display worked quite well in conveying information needed by the astronauts to accomplish complex tasks. We’re going to continue to analyze this and other forms of display technology at some point.” said Michael Lewis, who’s the engineer in control of developing Helmet Mounted Displays for NASA’s future spacesuit.
Dan Eisenhardt, CEO of Recon Instruments added “We’re delighted that our technology was received well by the specialists at Desert RATS and successfully provided information direct-to-eye. We glance forward to exploring this technology further with NASA because it proceeds with development of a higher generation spacesuit. Skiers and snowboarders can get their hands in this Micro Optics Display technology q4 and should have the ability to put it to the test themselves at the snow.”
Additional info about Desert RATS field tests are available at http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/analogs/desert_rats.html
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