ESA Astronauts in underwater NASA Seatest adventure - video

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen gives the ‘all-ok’ while spacewalk training during NASA’s Seatest underwater simulation for working in space.

ESA astronauts Andreas Mogensen and Thomas Pesquet returned from Florida last week after taking part in Seatest – NASA's underwater testbed for working in space.

Andreas stayed 20 m underwater for four nights in the Aquarius habitat with NASA astronauts Joa Acaba and Kate Rubins and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi.

 Andreas Mogensen

The mission was divided into testing crew procedures that might be used on the International Space Station and practising spacewalks underwater.

Each day, half of the crew ventured outside for a three-hour 'waterwalk' as the other two monitored it from inside. In the afternoon the roles were reversed.

During sorties, the astronauts practised moving across different terrains and deploying sensor arrays. At different points along their way they ran through ways of sampling the seabed.

Techniques included a simple inverted bag, a modified 'pooper-scooper' and an advanced pneumatic drill that chips away at a rock while making sure that the pieces do not fly away.

Thomas Pesquet

On the third day the astronauts changed their weights to recreate lunar gravity. "The lunar spacewalks were the best," says Andreas. "It is a fantastic feeling to bounce around on the surface."

In the underwater 'space station' Andreas and colleagues tested hardware that can deliver just-in-time-training on heads-up displays. Andreas used the hardware to assemble and install a miniature exercise device.

Astronauts on space missions must exercise up to two hours a day to stay fit and counteract the negative effects of living in space on the body.

Exercise machines on the International Space Station work well but are too large to be practical for smaller spacecraft.

The new 'gymnasium-in-a-box' was put through its paces during Seatest. The miniature exercise device is computer-controlled to vary resistance, offering a complete workout.

Meanwhile, above ground, Thomas took on the role of flight director and crew communicator. With a 20-minute delay imposed on all communications between the astronauts and mission control, it was almost like not having direct communication at all.

A simulated spacewalk during NASA's Seatest to test and practice moving across different terrains and deploying sensor arrays. At different points along their way the astronauts ran through ways of sampling the seabed. 

Techniques included a simple inverted bag, a modified ‘pooper-scooper’ and an advanced pneumatic drill that chips away at a rock while making sure that the pieces do not fly away.

Thomas, who is a qualified Space Station crew communicator, recounts, "Our communication became more formal – there was less time for chatter.

We had to anticipate possible questions and provide the answers before they were asked."

GPS with Android and WiFi on its way

The world's first handheld GPS to use the Android mobile operating system is here.

The All Sports GPS from Holux is also the first handheld unit with WiFi capability.

The idea is to fuse smartphone capability into a handheld GPS, allowing users to download GPS apps directly without having to hookup to a computer.
 
The All Sports GPS is a cooperative effort between Taiwan's Holux, which manufactures GPS products, and Satski, a Canadian company best known for its winter sports apps.

So, it's not surprising that the GPS will come pre-loaded with the SatSki app and a companion suite that includes other sports apps for golf, biking, running and geo-caching, among other activities.

The apps provide all sorts of speed, distance, real-time location and navigation information. For winter sports fans, the Satski app uses resort trail maps.

There's also Facebook and Twitter integration and on online community at luvthesnow.com to share and boast about your greatest runs.

Another app included in the package is All Sports Maps, which allows users to download live maps, including Google, Nokia OVI, Open Street and Open Cycle, for later offline use, all for free.

Similar apps in the Android Market can run you as much as ten US dollars for something well-suited to backcountry use, out of the range of a data connection.

SatSki promises that the All Sports GPS will be a "rugged, highly sensitive IPX 6-rated unit" that also supports Bluetooth health monitor accessories. No word on an exact release date or pricing for the device, but the company promises it is "coming soon."

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To the infinity of space and back!