NASA claims that the hands-free technology could allow crewmembers to be more autonomous on faraway missions.
Long-Distance Call
Space agencies will be required to ensure astronauts are able to operate independently as humanity travels further and farther from Earth. Mission control transmissions will experience longer delays.
According to a NASA press release, International Space Station crewmembers have used AR headsets to repair equipment, which is one way to increase astronaut independence. This allows them to repair equipment and instruments quickly with minimal assistance, even when it breaks.
There are no hands!
NASA reports that space station crew members have been using AR technology as part of the T2 Augmented Reality program (T2AR). This has been going on for several months. NASA says the idea behind AR tech is to give astronauts real-time instructions and 3D cues. Also, they don't need to wait for Earth to reply. The interface is hands-free, so astronauts don't have to worry about carrying a tool or flashlight.
The repairs have so far been quite low-stakes. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Naguchi used an AR headset to first fix a treadmill aboard the station. This was in place of relying on the standard PDF document.
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NASA says that the AR system may be crucial as astronauts travel to Mars and beyond. Their ability to receive help on the spot will be severely restricted.
NASA associate scientist Bryan Dansberry stated in the release that the space station is the ideal platform for testing AR systems and refining these tools so they are ready for future astronauts.
READ MORE: NASA's new augmented reality apps aid astronaut repairs at the space station
More about AR: Augmented Reality Transforms a Dude into a Straight-Up Skeleton
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