NASA team up with Microsoft to help scientists in 'virtual exploration of Mars'

NASA has recently teamed up with Microsoft to help scientists in virtual exploration of Mars with the new software called OnSight.

The new technology will enable scientists to work virtually on Mars using wearable technology called Microsoft HoloLens. It will use holographic computing to overlay visual information and data from the agency's Mars Curiosity Rover into the user's field of view. Holographic computing blends a view of the physical world with computer-generated imagery to create a hybrid of real and virtual.

OnSight would use real rover data and extend the Curiosity mission's existing planning tools by creating a 3-D simulation of the Martian environment where scientists around the world can meet. Program scientists would be able to examine the rover's worksite from a first-person perspective, plan new activities and preview the results of their work firsthand.

Until now, rover operations required scientists to examine Mars imagery on a computer screen, and make inferences about what they are seeing. But images, even 3-D stereo views, lack a natural sense of depth that human vision employs to understand spatial relationships.

To view this holographic realm, members of the Curiosity mission team don a Microsoft HoloLens device, which surrounds them with images from the rover's Martian field site. They then can stroll around the rocky surface or crouch down to examine rocky outcrops from different angles. The tool provides access to scientists and engineers looking to interact with Mars in a more natural, human way.

The OnSight tool also would be useful for planning rover operations. For example, scientists can program activities for many of the rover's science instruments by looking at a target and using gestures to select menu commands.

JPL plans to begin testing OnSight in Curiosity mission operations later in 2015. Future applications may include Mars 2020 rover mission operations, and other applications in support of NASA's journey to Mars.