Google Nexus S, which was manufactured by Samsung, is currently aboard NASA’s Atlantis space shuttle for their final mission. The research equips three small, free-flying satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites), which provide a broader range of capabilities as well as a better communication to the land.

Nexus S is reportedly the first commercial smartphone that was certified by NASA to join the space shuttle. The smartphone-enhanced SPHERES will work as remotely operated robots with a built-in camera to take pictures and video, sensors to help conduct inspections, a powerful computing unit to make calculations, and a Wi-Fi connection to transfer data in real-time to the space station as well as mission control.

Way to go, Google!

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