Prototype Robot With Smartphone to Test 3-D Mapping, Navigation Inside Space Station: Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus spacecraft will carry 3,293 pounds (1,493.8 kg) of cargo on its upcoming commercial resupply mission to the station, including crew supplies, nanosatellites, student research and this prototype free-flying space robot equipped with a smartphone, known as Smart SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites). We've been testing SPHERES on the space station since 2011. This summer, astronauts will upgrade these existing space robots to use Google’s "Project Tango" smartphone, which features a custom 3-D sensor and multiple cameras. We will then use the Smart SPHERES to test free-flying 3-D mapping and navigation inside the space station. Image Credit: NASA/Ames #nasa #space #spacestation #iss #spheres #orbitalsciences #antares #smartphone