Working together, NASA and Microsoft scientists will develop a 3D simulation of the Martian environment

Jan 23, 2015 07:58 GMT  ·  By
A screen view from OnSight, a software tool developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory together with Microsoft
   A screen view from OnSight, a software tool developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory together with Microsoft

Earlier this week, scientists with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, announced that, with the help of brainiacs at Microsoft, they would soon get to virtually explore the Red Planet in 3D.

Thus, NASA and Microsoft researchers say that they are now working together on a new piece of software dubbed OnSight, that will serve to generate a 3D simulation of Mars' surface that scientists will be able to explore from the comfort of their own offices.

The ins and outs of this ambitious project

In a report detailing this endeavor, NASA scientists detail that the 3D simulation of the Martian environment will be put together using data obtained by orbiters and rovers that have so far been sent to have a close look at the Red Planet.

Most of this data comes from NASA's Curiosity rover, which landed in Mars' Gale Crater in August 2012. The rover is still up and running. Besides, scientists expect that, sometime in the days to come, it will get to work drilling into the Martian surface.

Once the 3D simulation of local landscapes on Mars is put together, researchers will be able to walk around it and explore it in detail using a wearable technology dubbed HoloLens. What this means is that, albeit only in virtual reality, scientists will soon get to land on Mars.

“OnSight gives our rover scientists the ability to walk around and explore Mars right from their offices. It fundamentally changes our perception of Mars, and how we understand the Mars environment surrounding the rover,” said scientist Dave Lavery.

What exactly will scientists do on virtual Mars?

The technology will make it possible for researchers to study the Martian surface from a first-person perspective. The virtual explorers will be able to look at rocks resting on the Red Planet from various perspectives, even interact with the alien holographic environment.

Although NASA and Microsoft scientists are the ones working on the OnSight software and the HoloLens to go with it, it is understood that, when completed, this technology will be made available to scientists all across the globe.

“Previously, our Mars explorers have been stuck on one side of a computer screen. This tool gives them the ability to explore the rover's surroundings much as an Earth geologist would do field work here on our planet,” researcher Jeff Norris commented on this project.