To help provide astronauts with the medical care they need, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is testing a new way of using 3D telemedicine to ‘teleport’ doctors to the International Space Station (ISS).
This process uses holographic technology, such as Microsoft’s Hololens camera, to transport high-definition 3D models to the ISS.
As NASA and other space agencies put more people in space, a more efficient way of communicating over long distances is needed. One prospective way to do this is holoportation.
Quoted from BGR, this technology has been used since at least 2016 at companies like Microsoft. However, this is the first time NASA has used it. And it seems that this is a better way to pursue the effectiveness of 3D telemedicine.
The growth of telemedicine has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In doing so, this technology has helped build new ways for doctors to reach people without risking exposure to viruses or disease.
Now, NASA is using the same technology to allow holoported doctors to be virtually present on the ISS.
“This is a completely new way of human communication across great distances. Moreover, it is a new way of human exploration, in which our human entities can travel out of this planet. Our physical bodies are not there, but entities our humans are really there,” said Dr. Josef Schmid in a statement NASA shared.
This is the first time anyone has used holoportation between space and Earth. In addition, this is also the first time that 3D telemedicine will allow two-way conversations to take place on the ISS with doctors on Earth.
NASA says it is testing 3D telemedicine methods at this time as a test run for future space missions.
The US space agency said it plans to use holoportation for private medical conferences, as well as family conferences and to take VIPs to the space station.
Ultimately, it will also allow for an easier way for astronauts to visit or be visited by people.
If NASA perfects the system, it could play a much larger role in the space agency’s plans to return humans to the Moon, and provide an invaluable way for astronauts to communicate with Earth on Mars missions.
Of course, there is always the goal of the next step. NASA doesn’t want to just allow the use of 3D telemedicine. NASA also wants to combine holoportation with augmented reality for a true tele-mentoring system. It is not yet clear how the technology will work, but it is clear that it is being worked on by NASA.
Currently, this 3D telemedicine method relies on Microsoft HoloLens. This device also uses special software from Alexa. Both components allow doctors and others to visit the ISS virtually.
–
