Saturday, June 11, 2011

Next-Gen NASA Helmet Display

 Recon Instruments, maker of GPS-enabled ski goggles with in-goggle displays is sending its technology to NASA for potential inclusion in the next generation of spacesuit helmets in which mission critical information and checklists could appear right before astronauts eyes. NASA’s spacesuit designers have been toying with the idea of an in-helmet displays for a while now, and considering that spacewalking astronauts currently rely on paper checklists taped to their arms, such a display represents a pretty big technological leap forward.


 (These Images are not what the helmet will look like but merely serve to give a glance at what Recon makes and the awesomeness it can create alongside NASA)

Say an astronaut is performing repairs on the outside of the international space station or on an orbiting satellite. The astronaut could call up his mission checklists when needed (voice commands? Yeah, let’s see if we can integrate some voice commands in there) and put them out of sight when they aren’t necessary. But crew inside the ship/station could also beam him or her diagrams, schematics, and detailed instructions on how to perform repairs on the fly, making missions more nimble.
It’s conceivable that a full heads-up display and even augmented reality might at some point be integrated into the helmet, making it easier for astronauts to identify mission targets and components and quickly find things they are looking for. Engineers could even upload a demo to an astronauts HUD talking him or her through an unexpected repair that wasn’t covered in training.
But one step at a time. Desert RATS takes place every year in Arizona and gives NASA engineers the opportunity to work alongside researchers and scientists from around the country on technology development and to field test technologies that NASA might potentially want to tap. If Recon’s HUD technology makes the cut, those paper checklists might soon (finally) get a space-age upgrade.

Sources:
POPsci.com
Nasa.gov
Techinfo

44 comments:

Jay said...

it looks awesome!

slycoopert said...

(puts on) yes master I shall obey...

James said...

Cool! I want one!

Oh_B_City said...

Lol they look pretty futuristic. At least they aren't bulky and heavy haha

Michael Arsenault said...

I'd like to wear that when I go paintball people be jelly.

Pockets said...

Here NASA, have all of my money. In exchange I want one of those things. Followed.

jack weston said...

Wow, looks just like the goggles used in the game Crysis. Awesome!

Anonymous said...

looks like somethign that has potential applications on the ski slopes

Anonymous said...

Exactly like Crysis.

Skaerf said...

This shit is pretty cool

Neon said...

So I guess military now turns into an FPS game? :P

Neon said...

Hey man, you should make a new post. :P Followed.

Braden said...

In my biopsyc class we were going over the possibility of having contact lenses that create a HUD, amazing what technology can accomplish.

LinksZee said...

wow its amazing what they can do with technology!

John said...

I was always wondering when they were going to change from that outdated suit. NASA's been really low on the budget.

-inastateofblue said...

Wow this actually looks so crazy. Imagine the possibilities with tech like this! Great blog btw!

ErlooN #3 said...

Mother of god :O

I want 1 of these.

Shreddie Murphy said...

Need em!

Anonymous said...

Technology always has the ability to blow my mind

had0c said...

this i want

Shaw said...

They need to adapt these for video games.

Christian said...

That's pretty dope

Astaroth said...

looks like the future's here.

Max Silver said...

That's badass! Followed :D

Operator said...

amazing stuff, agree with shaw! they need this for video games

Anonymous said...

Pretty awesome

mens said...

wow damn, i really need that stuff!

Jack said...

Technology is amazing!!

Jack of Diamonds said...

So cool!

Alnair said...

I want one so bad!!!

Apple said...

Like them, want them, need them.

Dunriel Galathados said...

Need them for what? O_o

menshans said...

I want that helmet! I wish I could afford it lol

Al3xaG said...

Shiny shiny stuff

Daily Car Reviews said...

;p it looks safe!
and comfortable~

Anonymous said...

I think with this helmet you can enjoy Terminator's vision ;). Nice piece of tech!

Ready to Grow said...

nice post..not sure why I would want them but I kind of do...

Voice of Reason said...

sick and slick is what these bad boys are - wonder if the guys who landed bin laden used something similar?

todd said...

SICK!!!! i have definitely been in places where these would have come in handy!!!

Unknown said...

... screw NASA, imagine what it could do back here on earth. I always liked the idea of augmented reality, mainly because you can improve almost every human job out there. can't wait till this sees commercial use :D

Scrubby Bear said...

Your technology posts are amazing. Gonna buy all this shit one day.

TradersNook said...

Your gadget posts are great! I'm really liking your blog

Michael Westside said...

Id like more reasearch into augumented reality. Like imagine going down city and your glasses redflags every chick that got herpes before you even begin talking to them. That would save me so much time.

Murdernickel said...

This reminds me of the goggles from Watchmen

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