Back in January, at the Windows 10 launch event, Redmond announced that it is
partnering with NASA to help in the space exploration. In an official press release about the Project Sidekick, it was said that Microsoft HoloLens will be used to aid astronauts and the device was scheduled to launch with the SpaceX’s seventh commercial resupply to the International Space Station on June 28.
As we all know, the Falcon 9 rocket that carried Microsoft HoloLens as a part of the supply, never made it to the International Space Station.
NASA has said that SpaceX shuttle suffered an anomaly that caused the explosion. Elon Musk had said that the explosion was a result of the overpressure in the upper stage oxygen storage tank.
It is a definitely a sad news for Microsoft and NASA. In the past, Microsoft has said that HoloLens would be a real benefit in space and will be much more than just a normal virtual reality headset.
— NASA (@NASA) June 28, 2015
NASA’s associate administrator for communications said, “We are disappointed in the loss of the latest SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed his grief via Twitter:
Space is hard…
@NASA we’re with you and ready to try again!
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) June 28, 2015
“Microsoft HoloLens is about transforming the ways you create, connect, and explore,” said Alex Kipman, technical fellow, Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft. he called the Project Sidekick a great example of the future applications of HoloLens to unlock new potentials and benefit the astronauts with holographic computing.
Forbes writes that next SpaceX launch hasn’t been confirmed but a launch later this year is expected to take place.
Stay tuned with
SPR Tech to stay updated with the latest space and virtual reality.
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