Young students from the Quest Institute in San Jose, California, are researching how metal reacts in space in the very first experiment designed with Microsoft’s Windows 10 IoT.
Microsoft launched its experiment platform into space last month aboard NASA rocket, and astronauts at the ISS were able to connect it to the space station last week.
The students recently received their first set of live data from the ISS via Windows 10 IoT system, so they could start analyzing how metals behave in microgravity.
Microsoft’s system enabled the first data transmission from the ISS to the Earth using Windows 10 IoT.
What is Windows 10 IoT and what did the students do with it?
Windows 10 IoT is a core version of Windows 10 that may run on devices without display. The system utilizes the Universal Windows Platform API to build solutions for different devices.
The IoT core version makes it easy for a device to offer searching, online storage, and cloud-based services. It can also connect thousands of devices to a single platform or project.
The Quest for Space Institute launched an experiment platform running on Windows 10 IoT to the ISS, so now the space station connects to hundreds of devices back on Earth and sends them data.
It is the first time Microsoft is able to send data back and forth the ISS.
Why is Microsoft participating in the project?
The Quest Institute, Microsoft, and Lego Education are working together to create the “NextGen” ISS. The joint venture aims to build a scalable science platform that could survive the dangers of the extreme space environment.
The team sent the platform running on the IoT core version of Windows 10 aboard the Antares OA5 Mission rocket on October 17th.
After the astronauts on the ISS connected the experimental platform to the ISS, Windows 10 IoT made it possible for the students to receive live data from the station.
It means Microsoft can both connect to servers on Earth and manage multiple experiments on a single platform.
The student research is also relevant to the project. The Quest Institute’s investigation would give a way to create different long-lasting materials for a spacecraft.
What is the Quest for Space Institute?
The Quest Institute’s goal is to give Elementary and High School students access to the ISS as part of their educational program.
The institute believes in STEM education, a school system that has the idea of teaching four specific disciplines: Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“It’s important to encourage STEM education starting at an early age, and space science is a phenomenal way to get kids excited about STEM fields,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President.
Source: Windows